Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) vs Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017)
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
Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017)
Blair Athol
★ 5.00
£450
| Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Springbank | Blair Athol |
| Region | Campbeltown | Highland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 57.1% | 58.4% |
| Age | 12 yr | 23 yr |
| Price | £299 | £450 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is better value at £299 vs £450.
For beginners: Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017) is more approachable (35/100 beginner score).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£299 vs £450)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£450 vs £299)
- −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 Blair?
Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017) 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 Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993 (Special Release 2017)