Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023
Bowmore
£299
| Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomintoul | Bowmore |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.9% | 52.8% |
| Age | 31 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £223.7 | £299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023
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 £299.
For beginners: Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023 is more approachable (50/100 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 £299)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 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 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023 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
Both taste of
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Only Bowmore 18 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2023