Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Port Ellen
£600
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£384
| Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Port Ellen | Mortlach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 57% |
| Age | 23 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £600 | £383.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £384 vs £600.
For beginners: Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£600 vs £383.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£383.95 vs £600)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Port?
Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Port Ellen 23 Year Old 1983 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Only Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)