Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)
Port Ellen
★ 4.25
£290
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Tomintoul
★ 5.00
£224
| Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing) | Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Tomintoul |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.3% | 53.9% |
| Age | 30 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £289.95 | £223.7 |
| Rating | 4.25/5 | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Quick verdict
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.25).
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is better value at £224 vs £290.
For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£289.95 vs £223.7)
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£223.7 vs £289.95)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 30 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing) 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
Both taste of
Only Port Ellen 30 Year Old 1979 - Old and Rare Platinum (Douglas Laing)
Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask