Aberfeldy 21 Year Old vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old
Aberfeldy
★ 4.44
£161
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Aberfeldy 21 Year Old | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Aberfeldy | Tomintoul |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 53.9% |
| Age | 21 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £160.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 4.44/5 | 5.00/5 |
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.44).
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old is better value at £161 vs £224.
For beginners: Aberfeldy 21 Year Old is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£160.95 vs £223.7)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.4 vs 5.0)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £160.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Aberfeldy?
Aberfeldy 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.
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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Aberfeldy 21 Year Old
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask