Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice vs Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg
£344
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£384
| Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice | Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Mortlach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.3% | 57% |
| Age | 21 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £344.3 | £383.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £344 vs £384.
For beginners: Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£344.3 vs £383.95)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 21 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (57%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£383.95 vs £344.3)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice 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 Mortlach?
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Ardbeg 21 Years Old 1993 (cask 1289) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)