Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar
Bladnoch
£243
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
| Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bladnoch | Lagavulin |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.2% | 57.7% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £242.65 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar is better value at £243 vs £299.
For beginners: Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£242.65 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (26 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 2016) - 200th Anniversary
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 (57.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £242.65)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Bladnoch?
Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar 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 2016) - 200th Anniversary 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 Bladnoch 26 Year Old 1990 - Sansibar
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary