Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask
Benriach
★ 4.00
£199
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Benriach |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 61.6% |
| Age | 12 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £250 | £199 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.00/5 |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 10 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (61.6%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.0 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 BenRiach?
BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask 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 BenRiach 10 Year Old 2008 (cask 3085) - Oloroso Cask