Famous Grouse Highland Decanter vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Famous Grouse Highland DecanterMortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
DistilleryFamous GrouseMortlach
RegionOther ScotchSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%55.9%
AgeNAS13 yr
Price£99.99£150
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner35/100
Value33/100

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is better value at £100 vs £150.

For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£99.99 vs £150)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Pros

  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£150 vs £99.99)

Who should buy Famous?

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) 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

Malt ExtractVanillaToasted

Only Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Honey

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

New Wood

Explore more