Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£250
Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Littlemill
£190
| Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) | Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Littlemill |
| Region | Islay | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 50.9% |
| Age | 12 yr | 25 yr |
| Price | £250 | £189.74 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £190 vs £250.
For beginners: Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
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 £189.74)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£189.74 vs £250)
- +Longer maturation (25 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.9%) — 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 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.
Who should buy Littlemill?
Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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.
Tasting notes
Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)
Only Littlemill 25 Year Old 1991 (cask 11789) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)