Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
Linkwood
£124

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
MacNair's
★ 5.00
£125
| Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) | MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Linkwood | MacNair's |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 58.4% | 48% |
| Age | 28 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £124.49 | £125 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
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).
Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) is better value at £124 vs £125.
For beginners: MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
Pros
- +More affordable (£124.49 vs £125)
- +Longer maturation (28 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (58.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£125 vs £124.49)
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) 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 28 Year Old 1987 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)
Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)