Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Linkwood
£127
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Linkwood | MacNair's |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 56% | 48% |
| Age | 22 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £126.95 | £125 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Quick verdict
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is better value at £125 vs £127.
For beginners: MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (22 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (56%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£126.95 vs £125)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£125 vs £126.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) 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 MacNair's?
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Linkwood 22 Year Old 1996 (casks 8731 & 8732) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)