Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Allt-á-Bhainne
£185
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Allt-á-Bhainne | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.2% | 56.5% |
| Age | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £184.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd is better value at £185 vs £250.
For beginners: Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Pros
- +More affordable (£184.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.2%) — 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 £184.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Allt-á-Bhainne?
Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd 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 Allt-á-Bhainne 23 Year Old 1996 (cask 187540) - Berry Bros. & Rudd
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)