Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Mortlach
£115
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£140
| Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.8% | 57.4% |
| Age | 16 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £115.01 | £139.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £115 vs £140.
For beginners: Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +More affordable (£115.01 vs £139.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.8%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 16 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£139.95 vs £115.01)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Caol?
Caol Ila 30 Year Old - 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
Only Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (cask 797679) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Caol Ila 30 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)