North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
North British
£204
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North British | Lagavulin |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.2% | 56.5% |
| Age | 50 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £203.76 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is better value at £204 vs £250.
For beginners: North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£203.76 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (50 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.2%) — 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 £203.76)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy North?
North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) 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 North British 50 Year Old 1962 (cask 9930) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)