Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386)
Balvenie
£250
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47.8% | 53.9% |
| Age | 15 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £250 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
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 £250.
For beginners: Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386)
Pros
- +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts
Cons
- −More expensive (£250 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 15 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt 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 Balvenie 15 Year Old 1995 Single Barrel (cask 9386)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask