Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Bunnahabhain
£199
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) | Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bunnahabhain | Mortlach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 56.6% |
| Age | 14 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £199 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
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).
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is better value at £199 vs £208.
For beginners: Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
Cons
- −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 14 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bunnahabhain?
Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
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
Only Bunnahabhain 14 Year Old 1988 (casks 9038 & 9074) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice