Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022 vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
DistilleryBowmoreTomintoul
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV54.7%53.9%
Age15 yr31 yr
Price£299£223.7
Rating5.00/5

Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022

Smoke64/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £299.

For beginners: Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022 is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (54.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 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 £299)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 15 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Bowmore?

Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022 suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

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

Vanilla

Only Bowmore 15 Year Old - Fèis Ìle 2022

SmokeyFresh FruitLeathery

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodHoneyDried FruitToasted

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