Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014)
Caol Ila
£199

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014) | Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Mortlach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 60.4% | 56.6% |
| Age | 15 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £199 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Quick verdict
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014) is better value at £199 vs £208.
For beginners: Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (60.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 15 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014) 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 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - 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.
Tasting notes
Only Caol Ila 15 Year Old 1998 Unpeated (Special Release 2014)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice