Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01

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

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01
DistilleryLinkwoodBruichladdich
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV48.9%54.5%
Age22 yr9 yr
Price£127.54£109.95
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner70/100
Value39/100

Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01

Smoke64/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value45/100

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 is better value at £110 vs £128.

For beginners: Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (22 vs 9 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£127.54 vs £109.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£109.95 vs £127.54)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (54.5%) — may need water

Who should buy Linkwood?

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Port?

Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01 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 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Old WoodSherriedDried FruitHoneyTobacco

Only Port Charlotte 9 Year Old 2013 PMC:01

SmokeyFresh FruitVanillaCooked FruitToasted

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