Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) vs Arran 18 Year Old (2015 Release)

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

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)Arran 18 Year Old (2015 Release)
DistilleryMortlachArran
RegionSpeysideIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%46%
Age15 yr18 yr
Price£150£199
Rating5.00/54.60/5

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

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

Arran 18 Year Old (2015 Release)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner75/100
Value23/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Arran 18 Year Old (2015 Release)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.60).

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

For beginners: Arran 18 Year Old (2015 Release) is more approachable (75/100 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 (2015 Release)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (18 vs 15 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£199 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (4.6 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 (2015 Release) 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

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

SmokeyNuttyToasted

Only Arran 18 Year Old (2015 Release)

SherriedHoneyDried FruitVanilla

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