Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)

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

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish WhiskeySpringbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)
DistilleryBushmillsSpringbank
RegionCampbeltown
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeIrishSingle Malt
ABV40%56.5%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£250£299
Rating5.00/5

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner40/100
Value17/100

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey is better value at £250 vs £299.

For beginners: Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£250 vs £299)

Cons

  • 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 £250)

Who should buy Bushmills?

Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Irish character.

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 Bushmills 1608 / 400th Anniversary Blended Irish Whiskey

Malt ExtractHoneyVanillaToastedFresh Fruit

Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 15 (2017 Release)

SherriedChocolateSmokeyTobaccoOily

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