Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020) vs Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Mortlach
£555

Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Springbank
★ 5.00
£399
| Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020) | Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Springbank |
| Region | Speyside | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.9% | 54.7% |
| Age | 21 yr | 9 yr |
| Price | £555 | £399 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Quick verdict
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo is better value at £399 vs £555.
For beginners: Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 9 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£555 vs £399)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£399 vs £555)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.7%) — may need water
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020) 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 Springbank?
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo 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
Only Mortlach 21 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Only Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo