Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength
Old Forester
£225
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
| Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Old Forester | Lagavulin |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Single Malt |
| ABV | 64% | 57.7% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £225 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength is better value at £225 vs £299.
For beginners: Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength
Pros
- +More affordable (£225 vs £299)
Cons
- −High ABV (64%) — 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 £225)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Old?
Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength 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 Old Forester Single Barrel - Barrel Strength
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary