Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Ben Nevis
£200
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ben Nevis | Lagavulin |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.4% | 56.5% |
| Age | 17 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.4%) — may need water
- −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 Ben?
Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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 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 Ben Nevis 17 Year Old 1996 - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)