Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary BottlingLagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
DistilleryBenromachLagavulin
RegionSpeysideIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%56.5%
Age17 yr12 yr
Price£199.95£250
Rating5.00/5

Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value20/100

Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling is better value at £200 vs £250.

For beginners: Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
  • +Longer maturation (17 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

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 Benromach?

Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

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 Benromach 17 Year Old Special Centenary Bottling

SherriedHoneyDried FruitChocolateToasted

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokeyMedicinalOilyKippery

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