Hill & Hill - 1970s vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

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

Hill & Hill - 1970sLagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
DistilleryHill & Hill Distillery CoLagavulin
RegionIslay
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%56.5%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£192£250
Rating5.00/5

Hill & Hill - 1970s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

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

Hill & Hill - 1970s

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).

Hill & Hill - 1970s is better value at £192 vs £250.

For beginners: Hill & Hill - 1970s is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Hill & Hill - 1970s

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£192 vs £250)

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 £192)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Hill?

Hill & Hill - 1970s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

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 Hill & Hill - 1970s

VanillaToastedMalt ExtractHoney

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokeyMedicinalOilyKippery

Explore more