Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength
Arran
★ 5.00
£199
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Arran | Lagavulin |
| Region | Island | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.2% | 56.5% |
| Age | 10 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.2%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 10 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Arran?
Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength 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 Arran 2004 (bottled 2014) Orkney Bere Barley Cask Strength
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)