Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Caol Ila
£62
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£58
| Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Springbank |
| Region | Islay | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.5% | 50.3% |
| Age | 5 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £61.95 | £57.55 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release)
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release) is better value at £58 vs £62.
For beginners: Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release) is more approachable (50/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£61.95 vs £57.55)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£57.55 vs £61.95)
- +Longer maturation (12 vs 5 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.3%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid) 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 7 (2013 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 Caol Ila 5 Year Old 2018 - Benchmark (Murray McDavid)
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 7 (2013 Release)