Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 vs Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Ardbeg
★ 2.71
£1999
Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Tomintoul
£1496
| Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 | Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.1% | 40.4% |
| Age | 13 yr | 45 yr |
| Price | £1999 | £1495.95 |
| Rating | 2.71/5 | — |
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 is rated higher (2.71 vs 0.00).
Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £1496 vs £1999.
For beginners: Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (2.7/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1999 vs £1495.95)
Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£1495.95 vs £1999)
- +Longer maturation (45 vs 13 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 2.7)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011 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 Tomintoul?
Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Only Ardbeg 1998 - Fèis Ìle 2011
Only Tomintoul 45 Year Old 1969 (cask 682) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)