Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) vs Loch Dhu 10 Year Old

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

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)Loch Dhu 10 Year Old
DistilleryMortlachMannochmore
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55.9%40%
Age13 yr10 yr
Price£150£199
Rating5.00/54.14/5

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

Loch Dhu 10 Year Old

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner60/100
Value21/100

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Loch Dhu 10 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.14).

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is better value at £150 vs £199.

For beginners: Loch Dhu 10 Year Old 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 £199)
  • +Longer maturation (13 vs 10 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Loch Dhu 10 Year Old

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£199 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (4.1 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 Loch?

Loch Dhu 10 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Malt ExtractToasted

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

VanillaNew Wood

Only Loch Dhu 10 Year Old

SmokeyOld Wood

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