Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Aberlour
£179
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Aberlour | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.1% | 56.5% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £179.22 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
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 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) is better value at £179 vs £250.
For beginners: Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Pros
- +More affordable (£179.22 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (55.1%) — 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 £179.22)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Aberlour?
Aberlour 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr) 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 26 Year Old 1989 (cask 11336) - Celebration Of The Cask (Càrn Mòr)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)