Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025)
Clynelish
£170
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025) | Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Clynelish | Mortlach |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.6% | 56.6% |
| Age | 18 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £169.95 | £208.33 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025)
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).
Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025) is better value at £170 vs £208.
For beginners: Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£169.95 vs £208.33)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.6%) — 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 £169.95)
Who should buy Clynelish?
Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025) 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 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 Clynelish 18 Year Old (Special Release 2025)
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice