Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV)
Bruichladdich
★ 5.00
£175
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.5% | 53.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £174.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV) is better value at £175 vs £224.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£174.95 vs £223.7)
Cons
- −High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 18 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 £174.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV) 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 Port Charlotte 18 Year Old (51.5% ABV)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask