Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) vs Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Benriach
£114
| Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Benriach |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.9% | 48.7% |
| Age | 13 yr | 26 yr |
| Price | £150 | £113.8 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £114 vs £150.
For beginners: Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 widely reviewed by the community
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£150 vs £113.8)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£113.8 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (26 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 Benriach?
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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 Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish