Balvenie 30 Year Old vs Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Balvenie
★ 5.00
£3193
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£2999
| Balvenie 30 Year Old | Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 44.2% | 56.5% |
| Age | 30 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £3192.95 | £2999 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
Balvenie 30 Year Old
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)
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).
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
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
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.
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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 30 Year Old
Only Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2007)