Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd) vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice

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

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
DistilleryThe GlenlivetMortlach
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV47.6%56.6%
Age38 yr23 yr
Price£156.63£208.33
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner70/100
Value32/100

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

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

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd) is better value at £157 vs £208.

For beginners: Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£156.63 vs £208.33)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

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

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£208.33 vs £156.63)

Who should buy Glenlivet?

Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd) 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

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Glenlivet 38 Year Old 1973 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractCitric

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

SherriedChocolateToastedDried Fruit

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