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)Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
DistilleryCaol IlaMortlach
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV65.8%56.6%
Age10 yr23 yr
Price£199£208.33
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value24/100

Caol Ila 10 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2009)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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)

VanillaFresh FruitHoneyCitricMalt Extract

Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

SherriedChocolateToastedDried FruitOld Wood

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