Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray) vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray)Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
DistilleryHighland ParkMortlach
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.2%55.9%
Age23 yr13 yr
Price£132.73£150
Rating5.00/5

Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness73/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray) is better value at £133 vs £150.

For beginners: Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).

Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£132.73 vs £150)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 13 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (56.2%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£150 vs £132.73)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray) 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.

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

Only Highland Park 23 Year Old 1990 (cask 580) - Cask Collection (A. D. Rattray)

SherriedSmokeyOld WoodLeatheryHoney

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

VanillaNew WoodMalt ExtractToasted

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