Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) vs Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

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

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
DistilleryBenrinnesMortlach
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%46%
Age24 yr25 yr
Price£117.35£189.62
Rating5.00/5

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner60/100
Value43/100

Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) is better value at £117 vs £190.

For beginners: Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£117.35 vs £189.62)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (25 vs 24 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£189.62 vs £117.35)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Benrinnes?

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's) 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 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyDried Fruit

Only Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)

Malt ExtractToastedVanilla

Only Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

SherriedChocolateOld Wood

Where to buy

Benrinnes 24 Year Old 1988 (cask 2835) - Rare Select (Montgomerie's)

Mortlach 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 5185) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)

Explore more