Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) vs Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
DistilleryLagavulinTormore
RegionIslaySpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV56.4%60.2%
Age12 yr8 yr
Price£199£123.95
Rating4.67/55.00/5

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner25/100
Value23/100

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness57/100
Beginner35/100
Value40/100

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.67).

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is better value at £124 vs £199.

For beginners: Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (12 vs 8 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£199 vs £123.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.7 vs 5.0)

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£123.95 vs £199)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (60.2%) — may need water
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Lagavulin?

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020) 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 Tormore?

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)

SmokeyHoneyCooked Fruit

Only Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Malt ExtractVanillaOld Wood

Where to buy

Lagavulin 12 Year Old (Special Release 2020)

Tormore 28 Year Old - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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