Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Karuizawa
★ 4.50
£250
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Karuizawa |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 58.8% |
| Age | 12 yr | 29 yr |
| Price | £250 | £249.86 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.50/5 |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky is better value at £250 vs £250.
For beginners: Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
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 £249.86)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£249.86 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (29 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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.
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.
Tasting notes
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Only Karuizawa 29 Year Old 1982 (cask 8529) - Noh Whisky