Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company vs Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky CompanyTomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask
DistilleryThe Character of Islay Whisky CompanyTomintoul
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46.3%54.9%
Age33 yr36 yr
Price£399.95£410
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Smoke68/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner45/100
Value13/100

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner45/100
Value12/100

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company is better value at £400 vs £410.

For beginners: Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£399.95 vs £410)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (36 vs 33 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£410 vs £399.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Fiona?

Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company 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 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - 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

Old WoodDried Fruit

Only Fiona Macleod 33 Year Old - The Character of Islay Whisky Company

SmokeyMedicinal

Only Tomintoul 36 Year Old 1977 (cask 3691) - Vintage Single Cask

SherriedCooked Fruit

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