Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl vs Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75clMortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
DistilleryBalvenieMortlach
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%58%
Age10 yr26 yr
Price£275£399
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value18/100

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Smoke65/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl is better value at £275 vs £399.

For beginners: Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£275 vs £399)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (26 vs 10 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (58%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£399 vs £275)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) 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

Malt ExtractToasted

Only Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl

HoneyVanillaFresh Fruit

Only Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

KipperySmokeyOily

Where to buy

Balvenie Founder's Reserve - Cognac Bottle 75cl

Mortlach 26 Year Old 1987 (cask 76.114) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

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