Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask vs Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

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

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single CaskFiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company
DistilleryTomintoulThe Character of Islay Whisky Company
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV54.9%46.3%
Age36 yr33 yr
Price£410£399.95
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner45/100
Value12/100

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value13/100

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company is better value at £400 vs £410.

For beginners: Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (36 vs 33 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£410 vs £399.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£399.95 vs £410)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Tomintoul?

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - 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 Fiona?

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Dried FruitOld Wood

Only Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

SherriedCooked Fruit

Only Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokeyMedicinal

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