Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Ardbeg
£205
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) | 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 | 54.5% | 56.6% |
| Age | 15 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £204.5 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
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 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) is better value at £205 vs £208.
For beginners: Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£204.5 vs £208.33)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — 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 15 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £204.5)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) 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 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice