Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay Whisky vs Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1

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

Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay WhiskyTomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1
DistilleryLagavulinTomatin
RegionHighland
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%46%
AgeNAS36 yr
Price£800£494.02
Rating5.00/5

Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay Whisky

Smoke64/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner60/100
Value10/100

Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1 is better value at £494 vs £800.

For beginners: Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay Whisky is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay Whisky

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£800 vs £494.02)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£494.02 vs £800)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Lagavulin?

Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay Whisky 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.

Who should buy Tomatin?

Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedChocolate

Only Lagavulin 1988 Distillers Edition / Bot.2004 Islay Whisky

SmokeyHoneyDried Fruit

Only Tomatin 36 Year Old 1977 - Batch 1

VanillaOld WoodToasted

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