Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) vs Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Caol Ila
£90

Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£83
| Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) | 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 | 55.5% | 54.9% |
| Age | 14 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £89.95 | £82.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
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 £90.
For beginners: Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (14 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£89.95 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 £89.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness) 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 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 Caol Ila 14 Year Old Oloroso Cask Finish (Darkness)
Only Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)