Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar
Benriach
£185
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.1% | 56.5% |
| Age | 22 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £185 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar is better value at £185 vs £250.
For beginners: Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar
Pros
- +More affordable (£185 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (22 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — 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 £185)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Benriach?
Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar 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 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 Benriach 22 Year Old 1997 - The Whisky Cellar
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)