Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryLinkwoodFamous Grouse
RegionSpeysideOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV48.9%40%
Age22 yr12 yr
Price£127.54£150
Rating5.00/55.00/5

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

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner70/100
Value33/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £128 vs £150.

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
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£127.54 vs £150)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£150 vs £127.54)

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 Famous?

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedHoney

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

Old WoodDried FruitTobacco

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

VanillaMalt ExtractToasted

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