Tomintoul 33 Year Old vs Glenburgie 20 Year Old 1985 (cask 71.30) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Tomintoul 33 Year OldGlenburgie 20 Year Old 1985 (cask 71.30) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
DistilleryTomintoulGlenburgie
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%59.8%
Age33 yr20 yr
Price£249.95£299
Rating5.00/5

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner70/100
Value20/100

Glenburgie 20 Year Old 1985 (cask 71.30) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Smoke72/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner5/100
Value0/100

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glenburgie 20 Year Old 1985 (cask 71.30) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomintoul 33 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Tomintoul 33 Year Old is better value at £250 vs £299.

For beginners: Tomintoul 33 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£249.95 vs £299)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Glenburgie 20 Year Old 1985 (cask 71.30) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Pros

  • +Intense, complex peat smoke character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Challenging for beginners — intense and polarising
  • High ABV (59.8%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £249.95)

Who should buy Tomintoul?

Tomintoul 33 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Glenburgie?

Glenburgie 20 Year Old 1985 (cask 71.30) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) is for peat enthusiasts and experienced whisky lovers who appreciate bold, smoky, medicinal character. If you enjoy Ardbeg or Laphroaig, this is your dram. Not recommended for beginners.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyOld WoodNutty

Only Tomintoul 33 Year Old

SherriedDried Fruit

Only Glenburgie 20 Year Old 1985 (cask 71.30) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Medicinal

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