Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single CaskKilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015
DistilleryTomintoulKilchoman
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV53.9%58.2%
Age31 yr7 yr
Price£223.7£199
Rating5.00/5

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner45/100
Value22/100

Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015

Smoke68/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015 is better value at £199 vs £224.

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)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 7 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£223.7 vs £199)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£199 vs £223.7)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (58.2%) — may need water
  • 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 Kilchoman?

Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015 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

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodHoneyVanillaDried FruitToasted

Only Kilchoman 7 Year Old 2008 (casks 245, 449 & 450) - Fèis Ìle 2015

SmokeyOilyFresh FruitMedicinal

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