Balcones True Blue Cask Strength vs Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Balcones
★ 5.00
£102

Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Linkwood
£140
| Balcones True Blue Cask Strength | Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balcones | Linkwood |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Corn | Single Malt |
| ABV | 65.7% | 51.5% |
| Age | NAS | 21 yr |
| Price | £101.95 | £139.57 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is better value at £102 vs £140.
For beginners: Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£101.95 vs £139.57)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (65.7%) — may need water
Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts
Cons
- −High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£139.57 vs £101.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balcones?
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength 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 Linkwood?
Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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
Both taste of
Only Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Only Linkwood 21 Year Old 1997 (cask 13059) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)