Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) vs Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Caol Ila
£153
| Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 46.6% |
| Age | 13 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £150 | £152.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is better value at £150 vs £153.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£150 vs £152.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£152.95 vs £150)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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.
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) 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 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Only Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)