Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) vs Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Caol Ila
£153
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£150
| Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) | Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Mortlach |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46.6% | 55.9% |
| Age | 17 yr | 13 yr |
| Price | £152.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Quick verdict
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is better value at £150 vs £153.
For beginners: Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 13 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£152.95 vs £150)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£150 vs £152.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) 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 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) 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 17 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)