Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice vs Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
£305
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£228
| Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice | Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Highland Park |
| Region | Speyside | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.2% | 48.5% |
| Age | 20 yr | 28 yr |
| Price | £305 | £228.43 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) is better value at £228 vs £305.
For beginners: Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£305 vs £228.43)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£228.43 vs £305)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
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 Highland?
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 2977) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)