Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Cambus
★ 4.00
£200
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Cambus | Lagavulin |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46.9% | 56.5% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £199.95 | £250 |
| Rating | 4.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is better value at £200 vs £250.
For beginners: Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Pros
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (26 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +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 Cambus?
Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland 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 Cambus 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 11116) - Sovereign (Hunter Laing)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)