Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Ardbeg
£205
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Lagavulin |
| Region | Islay | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.5% | 56.5% |
| Age | 15 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £204.5 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) is better value at £205 vs £250.
For beginners: Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£204.5 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (15 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 £204.5)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits) 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
Both taste of
Only Ardbeg 15 Year Old 2009 (cask 26001/2009) - Cask Masters (Brave New Spirits)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)