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)Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
DistilleryMortlachAuchentoshan
RegionSpeysideLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55.9%58.4%
Age13 yr18 yr
Price£150£199
Rating5.00/5

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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

VanillaNew Wood

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Malt ExtractToasted

Only Auchentoshan 18 Year Old 2003 (cask 5.95) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Fresh FruitHoneyYeasty

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