Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Bowmore 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique

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

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's ChoiceBowmore 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique
DistilleryMortlachBowmore
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.6%48.9%
Age23 yr19 yr
Price£208.33£250
Rating5.00/5

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value24/100

Bowmore 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique

Smoke64/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Bowmore 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £250.

For beginners: Bowmore 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique is more approachable (60/100 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 £250)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 19 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Bowmore 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness

Cons

  • More expensive (£250 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 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique 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

Sherried

Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

ChocolateToastedDried FruitOld Wood

Only Bowmore 19 Year Old - French Oak Barrique

SmokeyVanillaCooked FruitHoney

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