Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Caol Ila
£225
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.7% | 53.9% |
| Age | 20 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £225 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
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 £225.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£225 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 £225)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate) 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 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask