Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Balvenie
★ 4.46
£222
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
| Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Springbank |
| Region | Speyside | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 57.1% |
| Age | 21 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £221.5 | £299 |
| Rating | 4.46/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.46).
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish is better value at £222 vs £299.
For beginners: Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£221.5 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £221.5)
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
Who should buy Springbank?
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) 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 Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)