Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Ardbeg
£160
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) | Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Mortlach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 52.2% | 56.6% |
| Age | 14 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £159.95 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Quick verdict
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) is better value at £160 vs £208.
For beginners: Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£159.95 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 14 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £159.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness) 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 Mortlach?
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Ardbeg 14 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish (Darkness)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice