Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky
Johnnie Walker
£225
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Johnnie Walker | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | United Kingdom | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 40% | 53.9% |
| Age | NAS | 31 yr |
| Price | £225 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky
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: Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£225 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £225)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Johnnie?
Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.
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 Johnnie Walker Black Label / Extra Special / Bot.1970s Blended Whisky
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask