Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£299
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
| Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Springbank |
| Region | Islay | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.2% | 56.5% |
| Age | 10 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £299 | £299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) is better value at £299 vs £299.
For beginners: Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −High ABV (56.2%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 10 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young 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 Springbank?
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) 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
Both taste of
Only Ardbeg 1998 (bottled 2006) Still Young
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)