Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Caol Ila
£193
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Lagavulin |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 67.3% | 56.5% |
| Age | 18 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £192.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish is better value at £193 vs £250.
For beginners: Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish is more approachable (25/100 beginner score).
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£192.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (67.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 £192.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Darkness!?
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish 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 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
Both taste of
Only Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Where to buy
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange