Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) vs Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150

Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Auchentoshan
£199
| Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Auchentoshan |
| Region | Speyside | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 58.4% |
| Age | 13 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £150 | £199 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
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 £199.
For beginners: Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) is more approachable (50/100 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)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 13 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (58.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£199 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 Auchentoshan?
Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) 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
Both taste of
Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Only Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)