Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) vs Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Bowmore
★ 5.00
£295
| Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) | Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Springbank | Bowmore |
| Region | Campbeltown | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 56.5% | 55.4% |
| Age | 12 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £299 | £294.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Quick verdict
Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company) is better value at £295 vs £299.
For beginners: Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) is more approachable (40/100 beginner score).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (56.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £294.95)
Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£294.95 vs £299)
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.4%) — may need water
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.
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company) 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 15 (2017 Release)
Only Bowmore 18 Year Old 2001 (Release No.11714) - The Stories of Wind & Wave (The Character of Islay Whisky Company)