Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland WhiskyTomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
DistilleryDeanstonTomintoul
RegionSpeyside
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%53.9%
AgeNAS31 yr
Price£199£223.7
Rating5.00/5

Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness46/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky

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).

Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky is better value at £199 vs £224.

For beginners: Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£199 vs £223.7)

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)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£223.7 vs £199)

Who should buy Old?

Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for 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

Both taste of

Honey

Only Old Bannockburn (Deanston) / Bot.1980s Highland Whisky

Malt ExtractNuttyFragant

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodVanillaDried FruitToasted

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