Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Aberlour
£199
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Aberlour | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 56.5% |
| Age | 16 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Pros
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (16 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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 £199)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Aberlour?
Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15 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 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.
Tasting notes
Only Aberlour 16 Year Old Hand Filled Sherry Cask - Batch A15
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)