Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Thompson Bros.
£215
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
| Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.) | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Thompson Bros. | Springbank |
| Region | — | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.3% | 56.5% |
| Age | 31 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £215 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
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).
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).
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
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 £215)
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.
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 Speyside 31 Year Old 1989 (Thompson Bros.)
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)