Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009)
Caol Ila
£199

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009) | Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Mortlach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 65.8% | 56.6% |
| Age | 10 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £199 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009)
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).
Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009) is better value at £199 vs £208.
For beginners: Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (65.8%) — 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 10 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009) 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 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 Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice