Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429 vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429
Blanton's
£200
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429 | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Blanton's | Lagavulin |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Single Malt |
| ABV | 63.4% | 56.5% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429 is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429 is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (63.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Blanton's?
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429 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 Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) 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 Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 429
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)