Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Clynelish
£179
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Clynelish | Lagavulin |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.4% | 56.5% |
| Age | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £178.84 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is better value at £179 vs £250.
For beginners: Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£178.84 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — 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 £178.84)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Clynelish?
Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) 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 Clynelish 23 Year Old 1995 (cask 11242) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)