Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV vs Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV
Mortlach
£180

Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£113
| Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV | Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Talisker |
| Region | Speyside | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.5% | 57.3% |
| Age | 20 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £179.95 | £112.5 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Quick verdict
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) is better value at £113 vs £180.
For beginners: Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV
Pros
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 15 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£179.95 vs £112.5)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.3%) — may need water
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV 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 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Only Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV
Only Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Where to buy
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 54.5% ABV
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Talisker 15 Year Old (Special Release 2019)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange