Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese Whisky vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese WhiskyMortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
DistilleryKavalanMortlach
RegionSpeyside
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%55.9%
AgeNAS13 yr
Price£214£150
Rating5.00/5

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese Whisky

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 £214.

For beginners: Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese Whisky is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese Whisky

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£214 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)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water

Who should buy Kavalan?

Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese Whisky is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

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

Both taste of

VanillaNew Wood

Only Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique 2017 (57.1%) Taiwanese Whisky

Fresh FruitHoneyCitric

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Malt ExtractToasted

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