Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

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

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
DistilleryLagavulinGlenburgie
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.5%46.1%
Age12 yr28 yr
Price£250£179.95
Rating5.00/5

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

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

Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) is better value at £180 vs £250.

For beginners: Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) 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 £179.95)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£179.95 vs £250)
  • +Longer maturation (28 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 Glenburgie?

Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) 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 Glenburgie 28 Year Old 1995 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

SherriedDried FruitChocolateOld WoodVanilla

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