Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) vs Mortlach 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Kininvie
★ 5.00
£120
Mortlach 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Duncan Taylor
£122
| Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) | Mortlach 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Kininvie | Duncan Taylor |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 42.6% | 54.8% |
| Age | 17 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £120 | £121.66 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Mortlach 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Mortlach 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is better value at £120 vs £122.
For beginners: Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
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 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 17 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£121.66 vs £120)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Kininvie?
Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1) 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 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Kininvie 17 Year Old 1996 (Batch 1)
Only Mortlach 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 797051) The Octave (Duncan Taylor)