Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
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 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£199
| Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.6% | 59.3% |
| Age | 23 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £208.33 | £199 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) is better value at £199 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
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 14 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (59.3%) — may need water
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 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) 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 Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)