Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Benriach
£208
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benriach | Lagavulin |
| Region | Speyside | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.1% | 56.5% |
| Age | 24 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £207.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £208 vs £250.
For beginners: Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +More affordable (£207.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (24 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — 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 £207.95)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Benriach?
Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 Benriach 24 Year Old 1999 (cask 63204) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)