Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Duncan Taylor
£97
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£83
| Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Duncan Taylor | Linkwood |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 52.3% | 54.9% |
| Age | 17 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £97.24 | £82.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
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 £97.
For beginners: Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£97.24 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 £97.24)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Islay?
Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Islay Blended Malt 17 Year Old 1997 (cask 9810047) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Linkwood 12 Year Old 2008 (cask 300865) - Folk (Fable Whisky)