Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Aberlour
£186
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Aberlour | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.7% | 56.5% |
| Age | 25 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £186.2 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
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 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £186 vs £250.
For beginners: Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£186.2 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (51.7%) — 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 £186.2)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Aberlour?
Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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.
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 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)