Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition vs Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition
Johnnie Walker
★ 4.75
£150
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Mortlach
★ 5.00
£208
| Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition | Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Johnnie Walker | Mortlach |
| Region | Other Scotch | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 56.6% |
| Age | 12 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £150 | £208.33 |
| Rating | 4.75/5 | 5.00/5 |
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition
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 4.75).
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition is better value at £150 vs £208.
For beginners: Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£208.33 vs £150)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Johnnie?
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition 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 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 Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old 100th Anniversary Edition
Only Mortlach 23 Year Old 1991 (cask 5887) - Mackillop's Choice