Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224

Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Rosebank
£350
| Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomintoul | Rosebank |
| Region | Speyside | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.9% | 46% |
| Age | 31 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £223.7 | £350 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
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 £350.
For beginners: Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid is more approachable (55/100 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 £350)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£350 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 Rosebank?
Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Tasting notes
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Only Rosebank 8 Year Old 1990 (cask 517) - Murray McDavid