Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Balvenie
£200
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47.8% | 56.5% |
| Age | 15 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (15 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £199.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 15 Year Old 1994 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 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 15 Year Old 1994 Single Barrel
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)