Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018) vs Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Oban
£453
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Springbank
★ 5.00
£399
| Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Oban | Springbank |
| Region | Highland | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.9% | 54.7% |
| Age | 21 yr | 9 yr |
| Price | £452.96 | £399 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Quick verdict
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo is better value at £399 vs £453.
For beginners: Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 9 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (57.9%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£452.96 vs £399)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£399 vs £452.96)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (54.7%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Oban?
Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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.
Who should buy Springbank?
Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo 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 Oban 21 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Only Springbank 9 Year Old 2004 - Gaja Barolo