Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) vs North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory)
DistilleryLagavulinNorth British
RegionIslayLowland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltGrain
ABV56.5%49.3%
Age12 yr47 yr
Price£250£187.83
Rating5.00/5

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner20/100
Value20/100

North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness78/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2017) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory) is better value at £188 vs £250.

For beginners: North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory) is more approachable (70/100 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 £187.83)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£187.83 vs £250)
  • +Longer maturation (47 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • 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 North?

North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory) 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)

SmokeyMedicinalOilyKippery

Only North British 47 Year Old 1963 - Rare And Very Old - Ibisco Decanter and Certificate Box (Signatory)

Old WoodVanillaHoneySherriedLeathery

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