Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr) vs Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£53
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
| Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr) | Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Balblair |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 53.7% |
| Age | 16 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £53.28 | £60.45 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr) is better value at £53 vs £60.
For beginners: Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£53.28 vs £60.45)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 16 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £53.28)
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr) 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 Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Mortlach 16 Year Old 1996 - Strictly Limited (Càrn Mòr)
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)