Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary vs SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£299
SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks)
Decadent Drinks
£238
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary | SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Decadent Drinks |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 57.7% | 51.4% |
| Age | 12 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £299 | £238.26 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks) is better value at £238 vs £299.
For beginners: SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
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 £238.26)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks)
Pros
- +More affordable (£238.26 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (51.4%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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.
Who should buy SideBurn?
SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks) 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 Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2016) - 200th Anniversary
Only SideBurn 31 Year Old V.92 & V.93 - Whisky Sponge Edition No.95 (Decadent Drinks)