Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) vs Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)

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

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
DistilleryDouglas LaingLinkwood
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%50%
AgeNAS9 yr
Price£36.52£60.84
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner60/100
Value82/100

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is better value at £37 vs £61.

For beginners: Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£36.52 vs £60.84)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£60.84 vs £36.52)

Who should buy Speyside?

Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) 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.

Who should buy Linkwood?

Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Only Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)

Malt ExtractVanillaFresh Fruit

Only Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)

SherriedCooked FruitHoneyToastedDried Fruit

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