Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary vs GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask
GlenAllachie
★ 5.00
£375
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | GlenAllachie |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.7% | 45.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | 29 yr |
| Price | £299 | £375 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is better value at £299 vs £375.
For beginners: GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£299 vs £375)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (29 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£375 vs £299)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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.
Who should buy GlenAllachie?
GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask 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.
Tasting notes
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Only GlenAllachie 29 Year Old 1989 (cask 2588) - Single Cask