Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Caol Ila
★ 5.00
£218
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing) | 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 | 59.4% | 56.6% |
| Age | 30 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £217.8 | £208.33 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Quick verdict
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is better value at £208 vs £218.
For beginners: Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 23 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£217.8 vs £208.33)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£208.33 vs £217.8)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +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 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing) 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 30 Year Old 1980 - Old & Rare (Douglas Laing)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice