Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Glentauchers
£209
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glentauchers | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 45.3% | 56.5% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £209.42 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) is better value at £209 vs £250.
For beginners: Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£209.42 vs £250)
- +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 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 £209.42)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Glentauchers?
Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - 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 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 Glentauchers 26 Year Old 1996 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)