Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice
Highland Park
£278
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Tomintoul |
| Region | Island | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.9% | 53.9% |
| Age | 28 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £278.12 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice
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 £278.
For beginners: Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£278.12 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 £278.12)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 28 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
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 Highland Park 28 Year Old 1986 (cask 2264) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask