Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Allt-á-Bhainne
£225
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
| Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Allt-á-Bhainne | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 41.6% | 57.7% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £225 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) is better value at £225 vs £299.
For beginners: Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£225 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
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 (57.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £225)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Allt-á-Bhainne?
Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) 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 Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary 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 Allt-á-Bhainne 26 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary