Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£60
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023)
Lagavulin
£48
| Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Lagavulin |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.7% | 56.4% |
| Age | 20 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £60.45 | £47.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023)
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023)
Quick verdict
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023) is better value at £48 vs £60.
For beginners: Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) is more approachable (65/100 beginner score).
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£60.45 vs £47.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£47.95 vs £60.45)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch) 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 20cl (Special Release 2023) 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023)
Where to buy
Balblair 20 Year Old 1990 (Bladnoch)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Lagavulin 12 Year Old 20cl (Special Release 2023)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange