Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Teeling
★ 5.00
£176

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Teeling | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Ireland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 53.9% |
| Age | 21 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £175.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is better value at £176 vs £224.
For beginners: Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£175.95 vs £223.7)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £175.95)
Who should buy Teeling?
Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt 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 Teeling 21 Year Old - Rising Reserve No.2 Marsala Cask
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask