Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£199
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.3% | 53.9% |
| Age | 14 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £199 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) is better value at £199 vs £224.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £223.7)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (59.3%) — may need water
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 14 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) 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.
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
Only Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask