Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Lagavulin
★ 4.17
£199
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 53.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £199 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 4.17/5 | 5.00/5 |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.17).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is better value at £199 vs £224.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £223.7)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.2 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 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019) 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 Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask