Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland) vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland)Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
DistilleryArdmoreMortlach
RegionHighlandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV48.6%55.9%
Age25 yr13 yr
Price£214.95£150
Rating5.00/5

Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness85/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner35/100
Value33/100

Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is better value at £150 vs £215.

For beginners: Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Longer maturation (25 vs 13 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£214.95 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £214.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Ardmore?

Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland) 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.

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) 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

Only Ardmore 25 Year Old - Marriage (The Single Malts of Scotland)

SmokeyOld WoodHoneyTobacco

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

VanillaNew WoodMalt ExtractToasted

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