Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£218
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 59.4% | 53.9% |
| Age | 30 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £217.8 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing) is better value at £218 vs £224.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£217.8 vs £223.7)
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 30 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 £217.8)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing) 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 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask