Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£199
| Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.6% | 59.1% |
| Age | 23 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £208.33 | £199 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) is better value at £199 vs £208.
For beginners: Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 15 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (59.1%) — may need water
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice 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.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) 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 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Where to buy
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange