Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013 vs Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

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

Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryOld ForesterSpringbank
RegionCampbeltown
CountryAmericaScotland
TypeBourbonSingle Malt
ABV49%48.2%
AgeNAS21 yr
Price£999£599.95
Rating5.00/5

Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013

Smoke0/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner40/100
Value8/100

Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £600 vs £999.

For beginners: Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£999 vs £599.95)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£599.95 vs £999)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Old?

Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013 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.

Who should buy Springbank?

Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Campbeltown character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Old Forester 12 Year Old - Birthday Bourbon 2013

VanillaHoneyChocolateDried Fruit

Only Springbank 21 Year Old - Batch 3 (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokeyOld WoodLeatheryMedicinal

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