Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) vs Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299

Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Thompson Bros.
£215
| Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Springbank | Thompson Bros. |
| Region | Campbeltown | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.1% | 51.3% |
| Age | 12 yr | 31 yr |
| Price | £299 | £215 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) is better value at £215 vs £299.
For beginners: Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £215)
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +More affordable (£215 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (51.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
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.
Who should buy Speyside?
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) 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 Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Only Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)