Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
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
Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet)
£245
| Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet) |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.6% | 51.1% |
| Age | 23 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £208.33 | £245 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
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 £245.
For beginners: Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 £245)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (51.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£245 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 Braeval?
Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Braeval 25 Year Old 1996 (cask 11430813) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)