Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
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
Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Bowmore
£340
| Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Bowmore |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.6% | 45.8% |
| Age | 23 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £208.33 | £339.77 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £208 vs £340.
For beginners: Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£208.33 vs £339.77)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 23 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£339.77 vs £208.33)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 Bowmore?
Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Bowmore 25 Year Old 1998 (cask 803728) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)