Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Girvan
£180
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Girvan |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 56.5% | 57.6% |
| Age | 12 yr | 28 yr |
| Price | £250 | £179.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) is better value at £180 vs £250.
For beginners: Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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 £179.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£179.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (28 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57.6%) — may need water
- −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 Girvan?
Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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 Girvan 28 Year Old 1989 (cask 167865) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)