Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Bowmore
£200

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) | Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Mortlach |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.9% | 56.6% |
| Age | 18 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Quick verdict
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) is better value at £200 vs £208.
For beginners: Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £208.33)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 18 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) 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.
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice 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 Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Where to buy
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange