Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Balblair
£125
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
| Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Mortlach |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40.4% | 55.9% |
| Age | 35 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £124.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is better value at £125 vs £150.
For beginners: Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£124.95 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (35 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 £124.95)
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
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.
Tasting notes
Only Balblair 35 Year Old 1966 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)