Balcones True Blue Cask Strength vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Balcones
★ 5.00
£102
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Lagavulin
£150
| Balcones True Blue Cask Strength | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balcones | Lagavulin |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Corn | Single Malt |
| ABV | 65.7% | 56.4% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £101.95 | £150 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Quick verdict
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is better value at £102 vs £150.
For beginners: Balcones True Blue Cask Strength is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£101.95 vs £150)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (65.7%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£150 vs £101.95)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Balcones?
Balcones True Blue 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 2023) 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 Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Where to buy
Balcones True Blue Cask Strength
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2023)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange