Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Clynelish
£205
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Clynelish | Lagavulin |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.3% | 56.5% |
| Age | 26 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £204.55 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single is better value at £205 vs £250.
For beginners: Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£204.55 vs £250)
- +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 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 £204.55)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Clynelish?
Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single 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 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 Clynelish 26 Year Old 1988 (cask 908098) - The Duncan Taylor Single
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)