Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Arran
£200
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Arran | Lagavulin |
| Region | Island | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.3% | 56.5% |
| Age | 19 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (19 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.3%) — 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 £199.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Arran?
Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 Arran 19 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)