Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) vs Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
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

Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Caol Ila
£299
| Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Springbank | Caol Ila |
| Region | Campbeltown | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.1% | 59.1% |
| Age | 12 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £299 | £299 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) is better value at £299 vs £299.
For beginners: Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is more approachable (20/100 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
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (59.1%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 Caol?
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) 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
Both taste of
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Only Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Where to buy
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Caol Ila 18 Year Old 1995 (cask 53.198) - (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange