Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

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

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
DistilleryMortlachTalisker
RegionSpeysideIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV57%59.4%
Age26 yr8 yr
Price£383.95£299
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner35/100
Value13/100

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value17/100

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is better value at £299 vs £384.

For beginners: Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (26 vs 8 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (57%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£383.95 vs £299)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£299 vs £383.95)

Cons

  • High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter 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.

Who should buy Talisker?

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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

Only Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Old WoodHoneyVanillaMalt ExtractToasted

Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)

SmokeyKipperyMedicinalOily

Explore more