Longrow 21 Year Old vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Longrow 21 Year OldTomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
DistillerySpringbankTomintoul
RegionCampbeltownSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%53.9%
Age21 yr31 yr
Price£265£223.7
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Longrow 21 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner50/100
Value19/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Longrow 21 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is better value at £224 vs £265.

For beginners: Longrow 21 Year Old is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).

Longrow 21 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£265 vs £223.7)

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£223.7 vs £265)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 21 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Longrow?

Longrow 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Campbeltown 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

Only Longrow 21 Year Old

SmokeyFresh FruitLeatheryTobacco

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodHoneyVanillaDried FruitToasted

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