Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£350
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.1% | 53.9% |
| Age | 21 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £350 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is better value at £224 vs £350.
For beginners: Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose
Pros
- +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts
Cons
- −More expensive (£350 vs £223.7)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £350)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose 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 21 Year Old - The Second Red Rose
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask