Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Girvan
★ 5.00
£180
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Girvan | Lagavulin |
| Region | Lowland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.5% | 56.5% |
| Age | 30 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £180 | £250 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) is better value at £180 vs £250.
For beginners: Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£180 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£250 vs £180)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Girvan?
Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams) 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
Only Girvan 30 Year Old 1989 - Rare Cask Series (GreatDrams)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)