Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice vs Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish

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

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's ChoiceBowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish
DistilleryMortlachBowmore
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.6%48%
Age23 yr22 yr
Price£208.33£337.95
Rating5.00/5

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

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

Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish

Smoke64/100
Sweetness73/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £338.

For beginners: Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish 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 £337.95)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 22 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness

Cons

  • More expensive (£337.95 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 Bowmore?

Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish 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

SherriedOld Wood

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

ChocolateToastedDried Fruit

Only Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish

SmokeyHoney

Where to buy

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

Bowmore 22 Year Old Sauternes Cask Finish

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