Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive)Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
DistilleryCraigellachieMortlach
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV54.7%56.6%
Age17 yr23 yr
Price£223.5£208.33
Rating5.00/5

Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value24/100

Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £224.

For beginners: Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive)

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£223.5 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 £223.5)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 17 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (56.6%) — may need water

Who should buy Craigellachie?

Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive) 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

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Craigellachie 17 Year Old (bottled 2023) (casks 2, 3, 4) - Exceptional Cask Series (Master of Malt Exclusive)

Cooked FruitHoneyVanillaFresh Fruit

Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

SherriedChocolateDried FruitOld Wood

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