Balblair 21 Year Old vs Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balblair 21 Year Old
Balblair
£299

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£384
| Balblair 21 Year Old | Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Mortlach |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 57% |
| Age | 21 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £299 | £383.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 21 Year Old
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Balblair 21 Year Old
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 21 Year Old is better value at £299 vs £384.
For beginners: Balblair 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Balblair 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£299 vs £383.95)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 21 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (57%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£383.95 vs £299)
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 21 Year Old 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 26 Year Old 1987 - 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
Both taste of
Only Balblair 21 Year Old
Only Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Where to buy
Balblair 21 Year Old
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange