North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
North British
£306
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
| North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | North British | Springbank |
| Region | Lowland | Campbeltown |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Grain | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43.1% | 57.1% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £306.22 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
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 0.00).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is better value at £299 vs £306.
For beginners: North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£306.22 vs £299)
- −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 affordable (£299 vs £306.22)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
Who should buy North?
North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
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 North British 35 Year Old 1988 (cask 18162) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)