Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
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
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Ardbeg
£160
| Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Ardbeg |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.6% | 52.2% |
| Age | 23 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £208.33 | £159.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) is better value at £160 vs £208.
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)
- +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 £159.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£159.95 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52.2%) — 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 Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) 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
Both taste of
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)