John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s
Lochnagar
£240
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
| John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lochnagar | Lagavulin |
| Region | Highland | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 49.1% | 57.7% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £240 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s is better value at £240 vs £299.
For beginners: John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£240 vs £299)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
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 (57.7%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £240)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy John?
John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s 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 2016) - 200th Anniversary 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 John Begg Blue Cap - 1970s
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary