Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing) vs Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing)Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
DistilleryCaol IlaLinkwood
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV46%54.9%
Age8 yr12 yr
Price£59.95£82.95
Rating5.00/5

Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

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

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

Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing)

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).

Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing) is better value at £60 vs £83.

For beginners: Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£59.95 vs £82.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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)
  • +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£82.95 vs £59.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

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

Fresh Fruit

Only Caol Ila 8 Years Old 2012 (cask 15286) - Provenance Coastal Collection (Douglas Laing)

SmokeyMedicinalOily

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

Malt ExtractHoneyToastedVanilla

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