Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky

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

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single CaskYula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky
DistilleryTomintoulYula
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV53.9%40%
Age31 yrNAS
Price£223.7£199
Rating5.00/5

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky is better value at £199 vs £224.

For beginners: Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky 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 widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

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

Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky

Pros

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

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 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 Yula?

Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodHoneyVanillaDried FruitToasted

Only Yula 20 Year Old / Chapter One / Douglas Laing Blended Whisky

SmokeyMedicinalOilyLeathery

Explore more