Kilchoman 16 Year Old vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Kilchoman 16 Year OldTomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
DistilleryKilchomanTomintoul
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV50%53.9%
Age16 yr31 yr
Price£205£223.7
Rating5.00/5

Kilchoman 16 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness70/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner45/100
Value22/100

Kilchoman 16 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Kilchoman 16 Year Old is better value at £205 vs £224.

For beginners: Kilchoman 16 Year Old is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Kilchoman 16 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£205 vs £223.7)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 16 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£223.7 vs £205)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Kilchoman?

Kilchoman 16 Year Old 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

VanillaDried Fruit

Only Kilchoman 16 Year Old

SmokeyLeathery

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodHoneyToasted

Explore more