Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) vs Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Balblair
£125
| Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Balblair |
| Region | Speyside | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 40.4% |
| Age | 13 yr | 35 yr |
| Price | £150 | £124.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is better value at £125 vs £150.
For beginners: Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
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 £124.95)
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£124.95 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −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 Balblair?
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Tasting notes
Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Only Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)