Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) vs Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

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

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryMortlachMortlach
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55.9%48.4%
Age13 yr20 yr
Price£150£229
Rating5.00/5

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner35/100
Value33/100

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

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

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) is better value at £150 vs £229.

For beginners: Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £229)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55.9%) — may need water

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

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (20 vs 13 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£229 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021) 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 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

Malt ExtractToasted

Only Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

VanillaNew Wood

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

Old WoodSherriedDried Fruit

Where to buy

Mortlach 13 Year Old (Special Release 2021)

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

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