Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Port Ellen
★ 3.00
£300
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 53.9% |
| Age | 19 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £299.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 3.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.00).
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is better value at £224 vs £300.
For beginners: Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −More expensive (£299.95 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (3.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £299.95)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 19 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay 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 Port Ellen 1982 (bottled 2001) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask