Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Caol Ila
£122

Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£83
| Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Linkwood |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 45% | 54.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £122.3 | £82.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
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 0.00).
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is better value at £83 vs £122.
For beginners: Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£122.3 vs £82.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 £122.3)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 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
Both taste of
Only Caol Ila 12 Year Old 2010 (batch 23/044) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)