Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) vs Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019

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

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019
DistilleryMortlachArran
RegionSpeysideIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%46%
Age15 yr18 yr
Price£150£199
Rating5.00/54.72/5

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner55/100
Value33/100

Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner60/100
Value24/100

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.72).

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) is better value at £150 vs £199.

For beginners: Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019 is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £199)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (18 vs 15 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£199 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (4.7 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Arran?

Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

SmokeyNuttyToasted

Only Arran 18 Year Old - Pre 2019

Dried FruitFresh FruitHoneySherried

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