Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£128

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 5.00
£119
| Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Linkwood | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 48.9% | 53.5% |
| Age | 22 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £127.54 | £119 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof is better value at £119 vs £128.
For beginners: Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (22 vs 10 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£127.54 vs £119)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£119 vs £127.54)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof 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 Linkwood 22 Year Old 1989 - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 107 Proof