Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Benrinnes
£180
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benrinnes | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.5% | 56.5% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £180 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is better value at £180 vs £250.
For beginners: Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +More affordable (£180 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — 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 £180)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) 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 Benrinnes 26 Year Old 1996 (cask 11687 & 11702) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)