Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012) vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012)
Lagavulin
★ 5.00
£1999
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
| Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012) | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Lagavulin | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | Islay | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 52% | 53.5% |
| Age | 21 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £1999 | £1500 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.50/5 |
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Quick verdict
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £1999.
For beginners: Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 10 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (52%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£1999 vs £1500)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Pros
- +More affordable (£1500 vs £1999)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Lagavulin?
Lagavulin 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012) 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 Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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 21 Year Old 1991 (Special Release 2012)
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling