Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask vs Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

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

Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Imperial
£281
| Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomintoul | Imperial |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.9% | 42.7% |
| Age | 31 yr | 28 yr |
| Price | £223.7 | £280.52 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
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 £281.
For beginners: Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) is more approachable (70/100 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 £280.52)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 28 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£280.52 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 Imperial?
Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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 Imperial 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 1675) - Celebration of the Cask (Càrn Mòr)