Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Balvenie
★ 4.46
£222
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
| Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 57.7% |
| Age | 21 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £221.5 | £299 |
| Rating | 4.46/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
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 4.46).
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish is better value at £222 vs £299.
For beginners: Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£221.5 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.5 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
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £221.5)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
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 Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary