Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)

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

Balvenie 21 Year Old Single BarrelSpringbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
DistilleryBalvenieSpringbank
RegionSpeysideCampbeltown
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV47.8%57.1%
Age21 yr12 yr
Price£220£299
Rating5.00/5

Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)

Smoke65/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner20/100
Value17/100

Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel is better value at £220 vs £299.

For beginners: Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel

Pros

  • +More affordable (£220 vs £299)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)

Cons

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

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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £220)

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

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.

Tasting notes

Only Balvenie 21 Year Old Single Barrel

HoneyMalt ExtractVanillaToasted

Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)

SmokeyLeatheryOilyKipperyCooked Mash

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