Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Tomatin
£264
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£299
| Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomatin | Talisker |
| Region | Highland | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.2% | 59.4% |
| Age | 29 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £263.95 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Quick verdict
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £264 vs £299.
For beginners: Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +More affordable (£263.95 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (29 vs 8 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £263.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Tomatin?
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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.
Who should buy Talisker?
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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
Only Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)