Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) vs Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Linkwood
★ 5.00
£61
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Douglas Laing
★ 5.00
£37
| Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Linkwood | Douglas Laing |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 50% | 46% |
| Age | 9 yr | NAS |
| Price | £60.84 | £36.52 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Quick verdict
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is better value at £37 vs £61.
For beginners: Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£60.84 vs £36.52)
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£36.52 vs £60.84)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Linkwood?
Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) 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 Speyside?
Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Tasting notes
Only Linkwood 9 Year Old 2012 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Only Speyside & Lowland - Double Barrel (Douglas Laing) (Old Bottling)