Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling) vs Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling)Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryBalvenieSpringbank
RegionCampbeltown
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%48.2%
Age17 yr21 yr
Price£595£599.95
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner40/100
Value8/100

Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling) is better value at £595 vs £600.

For beginners: Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£595 vs £599.95)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 17 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£599.95 vs £595)

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Who should buy Springbank?

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Campbeltown character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Balvenie 17 Year Old New Oak (First Bottling)

HoneyVanillaFresh FruitNew Wood

Only Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokeyOld WoodLeatheryMedicinal

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