Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs The Nikka 12 Year Old

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's ChoiceThe Nikka 12 Year Old
DistilleryMortlachNikka
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV56.6%43%
Age23 yr12 yr
Price£208.33£199
Rating5.00/54.11/5

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

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value24/100

The Nikka 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value21/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Nikka 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.11).

The Nikka 12 Year Old is better value at £199 vs £208.

For beginners: The Nikka 12 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 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 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)

The Nikka 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.1 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 The?

The Nikka 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Toasted

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

SherriedChocolateDried FruitOld Wood

Only The Nikka 12 Year Old

Malt ExtractHoneyVanillaFresh Fruit

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