Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Tomatin
£264

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
| Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Tomatin | Springbank |
| Region | Highland | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 53.2% | 56.5% |
| Age | 29 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £263.95 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £264 vs £299.
For beginners: Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +More affordable (£263.95 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (29 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (53.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £263.95)
Who should buy Tomatin?
Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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
Only Tomatin 29 Year Old 1989 (batch 18/088) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)