Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Girvan
£200
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Girvan |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Grain |
| ABV | 56.5% | 49.2% |
| Age | 12 yr | 33 yr |
| Price | £250 | £200.32 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) 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 £200.32)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£200.32 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (33 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 Girvan?
Girvan 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) 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 33 Year Old - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)