Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Bunnahabhain
★ 2.50
£235
| Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomintoul | Bunnahabhain |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.9% | 40.2% |
| Age | 31 yr | 35 yr |
| Price | £223.7 | £234.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 2.50/5 |
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 2.50).
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is better value at £224 vs £235.
For beginners: Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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 £234.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 31 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£234.95 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (2.5 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
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 Bunnahabhain?
Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Only Bunnahabhain 35 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)