Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Linkwood
£180
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Linkwood | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.4% | 56.5% |
| Age | 24 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £179.99 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is better value at £180 vs £250.
For beginners: Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£179.99 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £179.99)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) 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
Only Linkwood 24 Year Old 1997 (cask 7563 & 7564) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)