Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of ScotlandLagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
DistilleryMortlachLagavulin
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV62%57.7%
Age23 yr12 yr
Price£241.52£299
Rating5.00/5

Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value17/100

Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland is better value at £242 vs £299.

For beginners: Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).

Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland

Pros

  • +More affordable (£241.52 vs £299)
  • +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (62%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 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
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £241.52)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Mortlach?

Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland 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 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 Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland

SherriedDried FruitOld WoodChocolateToasted

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary

SmokeyMedicinalOilyLeathery

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