Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023 vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023
Kilkerran
£250

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
| Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023 | Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Kilkerran | Lagavulin |
| Region | Campbeltown | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.5% | 56.5% |
| Age | 17 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £250 | £250 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is better value at £250 vs £250.
For beginners: Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023 is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023
Pros
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57.5%) — 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
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Kilkerran?
Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023 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 Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Where to buy
Kilkerran 17 Year Old - Open Day 2023
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange