Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
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 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£250
| Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.6% | 55.9% |
| Age | 23 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £208.33 | £250 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £208 vs £250.
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
- +More affordable (£208.33 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)
Pros
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £208.33)
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 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015) 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 Caol Ila 17 Year Old 1997 Unpeated (Special Release 2015)