Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley
Bruichladdich
★ 5.00
£180
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 62.1% | 53.9% |
| Age | 5 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £179.93 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley is better value at £180 vs £224.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£179.93 vs £223.7)
Cons
- −High ABV (62.1%) — may need water
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 5 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£223.7 vs £179.93)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Octomore?
Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley 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 Octomore 12.3 5 Year Old - Islay Barley
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask