Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Laphroaig
£180
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Laphroaig | Tomintoul |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.6% | 53.9% |
| Age | 17 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £179.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £180 vs £224.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£179.95 vs £223.7)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.6%) — may need water
- −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 17 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £179.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Laphroaig?
Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Laphroaig 17 Year Old 2004 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask