Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Benriach
£114
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
| Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish | Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | Mortlach |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.7% | 55.9% |
| Age | 26 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £113.8 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is better value at £114 vs £150.
For beginners: Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£113.8 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (26 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 £113.8)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Benriach?
Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 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
Only Benriach 26 Year Old 1985 Peated Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish
Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)