Williamson 10 Year Old 2012 (Cask 223) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh vs The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5

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

Williamson 10 Year Old 2012 (Cask 223) - Woodrow's of EdinburghThe Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5
DistilleryWilliamsonThe Lakes Distillery
Region
CountryScotlandEngland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV58.3%52%
Age10 yrNAS
Price£109.95£84.95
Rating5.00/5

Williamson 10 Year Old 2012 (Cask 223) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

Smoke64/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner65/100
Value59/100

Williamson 10 Year Old 2012 (Cask 223) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 is better value at £85 vs £110.

For beginners: The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).

Williamson 10 Year Old 2012 (Cask 223) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming

Cons

  • High ABV (58.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£109.95 vs £84.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£84.95 vs £109.95)

Cons

  • High ABV (52%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Williamson?

Williamson 10 Year Old 2012 (Cask 223) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh 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 The?

The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedVanillaToasted

Only Williamson 10 Year Old 2012 (Cask 223) - Woodrow's of Edinburgh

SmokeyCooked Fruit

Only The Lakes Whiskymaker's Reserve No.5

Honey

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