Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Bowmore
£200
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Lagavulin |
| Region | — | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.9% | 56.5% |
| Age | 18 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.9%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 Bowmore?
Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness) 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
Both taste of
Only Bowmore 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish (Darkness)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)