Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Scapa 14 Year Old 1989 - Mackillop's Choice

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

Scapa 14 Year Old 1989 - Mackillop's Choice

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

Pros

• +Better value for money
• +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
• +Longer maturation (23 vs 14 years)
• +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

• −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
• −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
• −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Scapa 14 Year Old 1989 - Mackillop's Choice

Pros

• +Intense, complex peat smoke character
• +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
• +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
• +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

• −Challenging for beginners — intense and polarising
• −High ABV (54.4%) — may need water
• −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 Scapa?

Scapa 14 Year Old 1989 - Mackillop's Choice is for peat enthusiasts and experienced whisky lovers who appreciate bold, smoky, medicinal character. If you enjoy Ardbeg or Laphroaig, this is your dram. Not recommended for beginners.