Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

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

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey
DistilleryLagavulinBushmills
RegionIslay
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle MaltIrish
ABV56.5%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£250£250
Rating5.00/5

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

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

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey is better value at £250 vs £250.

For beginners: Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey 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
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

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 Bushmills?

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Irish character.

Tasting notes

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokeyMedicinalOilyKippery

Only Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

Malt ExtractHoneyVanillaToastedFresh Fruit

Where to buy

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

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