Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) vs The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special Edition

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

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special Edition
DistilleryMortlachThe Macallan
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%40%
Age15 yr12 yr
Price£150£199
Rating5.00/5

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner55/100
Value33/100

The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special Edition

Smoke0/100
Sweetness76/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special Edition

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) is better value at £150 vs £199.

For beginners: The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special Edition is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £199)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special Edition

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

Cons

  • More expensive (£199 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old Wood

Only Mortlach 15 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) (43%)

SmokeyNuttyToasted

Only The Macallan 12 Year Old Triple Cask Special Edition

SherriedVanillaHoneyChocolate

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