Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature vs Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

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

Dewar's 25 Year Old SignatureMortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryDewar'sMortlach
RegionOther ScotchSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%48.4%
Age25 yr20 yr
Price£201.99£229
Rating5.00/5

Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner85/100
Value25/100

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness48/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature is better value at £202 vs £229.

For beginners: Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • More expensive (£229 vs £201.99)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Dewar's?

Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old WoodSherriedDried Fruit

Only Dewar's 25 Year Old Signature

VanillaHoney

Only Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

ToastedMalt Extract

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