Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box) vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Nikka
★ 4.43
£399
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
| Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box) | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Nikka | Springbank |
| Region | — | Campbeltown |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 57.1% |
| Age | 17 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £399 | £299 |
| Rating | 4.43/5 | 5.00/5 |
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Quick verdict
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.43).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is better value at £299 vs £399.
For beginners: Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box) is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (17 vs 12 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (4.4 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 affordable (£299 vs £399)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
Who should buy Nikka?
Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt 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 Nikka Taketsuru 17 Year Old (With Wooden Presentation Box)
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)