Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)
Caol Ila
£150
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011) | 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 | 64% | 56.6% |
| Age | 12 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £150 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)
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 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011) is better value at £150 vs £208.
For beginners: Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£150 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (64%) — 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 12 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £150)
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011) 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 12 Year Old 1999 Unpeated (Special Release 2011)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice