Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection
Single Barrel Selection
£227

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Single Barrel Selection | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 53.9% |
| Age | NAS | 31 yr |
| Price | £227 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is better value at £224 vs £227.
For beginners: Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£227 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £227)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Guyana?
Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Who should buy Tomintoul?
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Guyana 1998 ICBU / Single Barrel Selection
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask