Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007) vs Balvenie 30 Year Old
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£2999
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
| Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007) | Balvenie 30 Year Old | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Balvenie |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 44.2% |
| Age | 21 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £2999 | £3192.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007) is better value at £2999 vs £3193.
For beginners: Balvenie 30 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£2999 vs £3192.95)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 21 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£3192.95 vs £2999)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007) 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 Balvenie?
Balvenie 30 Year Old is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old