Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak
Bowmore
£269
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46.8% | 53.9% |
| Age | 21 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £268.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak
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 £269.
For beginners: Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£268.95 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 £268.95)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
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 Bowmore 21 Year Old Sherry Oak
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask