Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Caol Ila
£225
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate) | 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 | 53.7% | 56.6% |
| Age | 20 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £225 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
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).
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £208 vs £225.
For beginners: Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£225 vs £208.33)
- −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)
- +More affordable (£208.33 vs £225)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate) 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 20 Year Old 1990 (The Syndicate)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice