Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Highland Park
£212
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Lagavulin |
| Region | Island | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.3% | 56.5% |
| Age | 18 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £212.45 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £212 vs £250.
For beginners: Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£212.45 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54.3%) — may need water
- −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 £212.45)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Highland Park 18 Year Old 2004 (cask 5038444) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)