Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
Bowmore
£164
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 53.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £163.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak is better value at £164 vs £224.
For beginners: Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£163.95 vs £223.7)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −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)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £163.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay 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 Bowmore 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask