Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£228
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Lagavulin
★ 4.67
£199
| Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Lagavulin |
| Region | Island | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 48.5% | 56.4% |
| Age | 28 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £228.43 | £199 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.67/5 |
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Quick verdict
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.67).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) is better value at £199 vs £228.
For beginners: Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (28 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£228.43 vs £199)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199 vs £228.43)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.7 vs 5.0)
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) 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 Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)