Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970sTomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
DistilleryBarton BrandsTomintoul
RegionSpeyside
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%53.9%
AgeNAS31 yr
Price£180£223.7
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner85/100
Value28/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner45/100
Value22/100

Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s is better value at £180 vs £224.

For beginners: Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£180 vs £223.7)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£223.7 vs £180)

Who should buy Barton's?

Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

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

ToastedVanillaHoney

Only Barton's QT Premium American Whiskey - 1970s

TobaccoOily

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodDried Fruit

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