Linkwood 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) vs Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)

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

Linkwood 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)
DistilleryLinkwoodMidleton
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Pot Still
ABV42.9%58.2%
Age29 yrNAS
Price£499£300
Rating5.00/5

Linkwood 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness50/100
Beginner35/100
Value17/100

Linkwood 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) is better value at £300 vs £499.

For beginners: Linkwood 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Linkwood 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£499 vs £300)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£300 vs £499)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (58.2%) — may need water

Who should buy Linkwood?

Linkwood 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Midleton?

Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection) 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 29 Year Old 1986 (cask 39.124) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)

Old WoodHoneyCitricFresh FruitMalt Extract

Only Midleton Dair Ghaelach - Grinsell's Wood Tree 9 (Virgin Irish Oak Collection)

New WoodVanillaToastedCooked Mash

Explore more