The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's Choice vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's ChoiceMortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
DistilleryGlenrothesMortlach
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV54.3%55.9%
Age18 yr13 yr
Price£121£150
Rating5.00/5

The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's Choice

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner35/100
Value33/100

The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £121 vs £150.

For beginners: The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's Choice

Pros

  • +More affordable (£121 vs £150)
  • +Longer maturation (18 vs 13 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
  • 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 £121)

Who should buy The?

The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - 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 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

Toasted

Only The Glenrothes 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 234) - Mackillop's Choice

SherriedOld WoodDried FruitChocolate

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

VanillaNew WoodMalt Extract

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