Caol Ila 25 Year Old vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 25 Year Old
Caol Ila
★ 4.18
£299
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 25 Year Old | 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 | 43% | 56.6% |
| Age | 25 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £299 | £208.33 |
| Rating | 4.18/5 | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 25 Year Old
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 25 Year Old
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 4.18).
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £208 vs £299.
For beginners: Caol Ila 25 Year Old is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 25 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 23 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£299 vs £208.33)
- −Lower community rating (4.2 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 £299)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 25 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
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 25 Year Old
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice