Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Caol Ila
£157
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) | 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 | 53.3% | 56.6% |
| Age | 18 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £156.53 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
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 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) is better value at £157 vs £208.
For beginners: Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Pros
- +More affordable (£156.53 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.3%) — 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 18 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £156.53)
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers) 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
Only Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1997 (cask 449) - Master's Cask (The Worshipful Company of Distillers)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice