Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009
Bowmore
£250
| Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomintoul | Bowmore |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.9% | 57.1% |
| Age | 31 yr | 9 yr |
| Price | £223.7 | £250 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009
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 £250.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 9 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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.
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009 suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Only Bowmore 9 Year Old 1999 - Fèis Ìle 2009