Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Garnheath
£396
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Garnheath | Lagavulin |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 44.5% | 56.5% |
| Age | 47 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £395.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is better value at £250 vs £396.
For beginners: Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (47 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£395.95 vs £250)
- −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 affordable (£250 vs £395.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Garnheath?
Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
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 Garnheath 47 Year Old 1974 (cask 14618) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)