Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Littlemill
£213
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Littlemill | Lagavulin |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56% | 56.5% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £213.49 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - 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).
Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £213 vs £250.
For beginners: Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£213.49 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56%) — may need water
- −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 £213.49)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Littlemill?
Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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
Only Littlemill 26 Years Old 1988 (cask 10599) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)