Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Bowmore 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
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 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Bowmore
£265
| Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | Bowmore 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Bowmore |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.6% | 57.4% |
| Age | 23 yr | 16 yr |
| Price | £208.33 | £264.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Bowmore 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Bowmore 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
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 £265.
For beginners: Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (35/100 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 £264.95)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 16 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Bowmore 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£264.95 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 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company) 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 Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Bowmore 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Where to buy
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Bowmore 16 Year Old 2003 (Release No.11698) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange