Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak
Balvenie
£134
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
| Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak | Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Mortlach |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47.6% | 55.9% |
| Age | 16 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £133.5 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak is better value at £134 vs £150.
For beginners: Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£133.5 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (16 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 £133.5)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak 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.
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
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 16 Year Old French Oak
Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)