Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023) vs Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Lagavulin
£150
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Balcones
★ 5.00
£102
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023) | Balcones True Blue Cask Strength | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Balcones |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Corn |
| ABV | 56.4% | 65.7% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £150 | £101.95 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Quick verdict
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is better value at £102 vs £150.
For beginners: Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£150 vs £101.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£101.95 vs £150)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (65.7%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023) 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 Balcones?
Balcones True Blue Cask 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Only Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Where to buy
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange