Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask
Balvenie
★ 4.85
£199
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 56.5% |
| Age | 12 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199 | £250 |
| Rating | 4.85/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.85).
Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask is better value at £199 vs £250.
For beginners: Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £250)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
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 Balvenie?
Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask 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.
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 Balvenie 12 Year Old Triple Cask
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)