Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice vs Littlemill 12 Year Old

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

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's ChoiceLittlemill 12 Year Old
DistilleryMortlachLittlemill
RegionSpeysideLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV50.2%40%
Age20 yr12 yr
Price£305£299
Rating4.75/5

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Littlemill 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value16/100

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Littlemill 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Littlemill 12 Year Old is rated higher (4.75 vs 0.00).

Littlemill 12 Year Old is better value at £299 vs £305.

For beginners: Littlemill 12 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (50.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£305 vs £299)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)

Littlemill 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
  • +More affordable (£299 vs £305)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice 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 Littlemill?

Littlemill 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.

Tasting notes

Only Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice

ToastedDried FruitHoneySmokeyOld Wood

Only Littlemill 12 Year Old

Malt ExtractFresh FruitVanillaHay-like

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