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

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 2017)
DistilleryMortlachLagavulin
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV62%56.5%
Age23 yr12 yr
Price£241.52£250
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 2017)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value20/100

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

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland is better value at £242 vs £250.

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 £250)
  • +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 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 £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 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 Mortlach 1994 (bottled 2017) (cask 17039) - Malts of Scotland

SherriedDried FruitOld WoodChocolateToasted

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokeyMedicinalOilyKippery

Where to buy

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

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

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