Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Balvenie
£200
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Balvenie |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 47.8% |
| Age | 12 yr | 15 yr |
| Price | £250 | £199.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel is more approachable (70/100 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 £199.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (15 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 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 Balvenie?
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel 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 Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel