Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Balvenie
£395
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
| Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Lagavulin |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 57.7% |
| Age | 15 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £395 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is better value at £299 vs £395.
For beginners: Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (15 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£395 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£299 vs £395)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.7%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel 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 2016) - 200th Anniversary 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 15 Year Old 1980 (cask 11962) Single Barrel
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary