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)Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
DistilleryCaol IlaLinkwood
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV45%54.9%
Age12 yr12 yr
Price£122.3£82.95
Rating5.00/5

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

Smoke64/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner65/100
Value0/100

Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner50/100
Value60/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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

Honey

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

SmokeyCitricDried FruitLeathery

Only Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)

Malt ExtractToastedVanillaFresh Fruit

Explore more