Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) vs Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Ardbeg
★ 4.00
£123
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£83
| Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) | Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Linkwood |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 54.9% |
| Age | 18 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £122.95 | £82.95 |
| Rating | 4.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Quick verdict
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is better value at £83 vs £123.
For beginners: Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£122.95 vs £82.95)
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£82.95 vs £122.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) 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 Ardbeg 18 Year Old 1991 Cask 5440 - Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)
Only Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)