Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryLagavulinThat Boutique-y Whisky Company
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV56.5%47.7%
Age12 yr21 yr
Price£250£178.95
Rating5.00/5

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value20/100

Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £179 vs £250.

For beginners: Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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 £178.95)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£178.95 vs £250)
  • +Longer maturation (21 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 Japanese?

Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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)

SmokeyMedicinalOilyKippery

Only Japanese Blended Whisky #1 - Batch 4 - 21 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SherriedHoneyCooked FruitVanilla

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