Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Bruichladdich
★ 5.00
£218
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Lagavulin
★ 4.67
£199
| Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bruichladdich | Lagavulin |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 62.6% | 56.4% |
| Age | 16 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £217.95 | £199 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.67/5 |
Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Quick verdict
Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.67).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) is better value at £199 vs £218.
For beginners: Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (16 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (62.6%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£217.95 vs £199)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199 vs £217.95)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.7 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Bruichladdich?
Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) 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 Bruichladdich 16 Year Old 2002 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)