Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£199

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) | 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 | 59.1% | 56.6% |
| Age | 15 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £199 | £208.33 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Quick verdict
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) is better value at £199 vs £208.
For beginners: Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (59.1%) — may need water
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 15 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £199)
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018) 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
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Where to buy
Caol Ila 15 Year Old Unpeated (Special Release 2018)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange