Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) vs Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£83
Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%)
Caol Ila
£68
| Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) | Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Linkwood | Caol Ila |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.9% | 50% |
| Age | 12 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £82.95 | £68.3 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%)
Quick verdict
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%) is better value at £68 vs £83.
For beginners: Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£82.95 vs £68.3)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£68.3 vs £82.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) 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 Caol?
Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Tasting notes
Only Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Only Caol Ila 8 Year Old 2014 Tokaji Wine Cask Finish - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) (50%)