Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

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

Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt)
Speyside
£163
| Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomintoul | Speyside |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.9% | 48.8% |
| Age | 31 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £223.7 | £162.56 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt)
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt) is better value at £163 vs £224.
For beginners: Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt) 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)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £162.56)
Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt)
Pros
- +More affordable (£162.56 vs £223.7)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −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 Speyside?
Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Only Speyside 18 Year Old 2006 (cask 0000001/279) - Cigar Malt Series (Saltire Rare Malt)