Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£199
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) | 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 | 59.3% | 56.6% |
| Age | 14 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £199 | £208.33 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) is better value at £199 vs £208.
For beginners: Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (59.3%) — may need water
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 14 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012) 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 Caol Ila 14 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2012)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice