Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Mortlach
£78

Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£50
| Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Linkwood |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54% | 46% |
| Age | 16 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £77.5 | £49.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman
Quick verdict
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman is better value at £50 vs £78.
For beginners: Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (16 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£77.5 vs £49.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£49.95 vs £77.5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - 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.
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman 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
Only Mortlach 16 Year Old 1997 (Cask 795213) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Linkwood 12 Year Old 2007 - DS Tayman