Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) vs Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£21

Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail)
Linkwood
£19
| Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) | Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Linkwood |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 43% |
| Age | 12 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £20.95 | £18.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail)
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail)
Quick verdict
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail) is better value at £19 vs £21.
For beginners: Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£20.95 vs £18.95)
Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£18.95 vs £20.95)
- +Longer maturation (15 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old (20cl)
Only Linkwood 15 Year Old 35cl (Gordon and MacPhail)