Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) vs Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
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
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Nikka
★ 4.43
£399
| Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Springbank | Nikka |
| Region | Campbeltown | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended Malt |
| ABV | 57.1% | 43% |
| Age | 12 yr | 17 yr |
| Price | £299 | £399 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 4.43/5 |
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.43).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is better value at £299 vs £399.
For beginners: Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box) is more approachable (70/100 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 affordable (£299 vs £399)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 12 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (4.4 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 Nikka?
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.
Tasting notes
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Only Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)