Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling) vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling)
Girvan
£150
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
| Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling) | Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Girvan | Mortlach |
| Region | Lowland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49% | 55.9% |
| Age | 40 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £149.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling) is better value at £150 vs £150.
For beginners: Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£149.95 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (40 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −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 widely reviewed by the community
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£150 vs £149.95)
Who should buy Girvan?
Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling) 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
Both taste of
Only Girvan 40 Year Old 1985 (Master of Malt 40th Anniversary Bottling)
Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)