Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve vs Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.38
£375
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Springbank
★ 5.00
£299
| Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve | Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Old Rip Van Winkle | Springbank |
| Region | — | Campbeltown |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Single Malt |
| ABV | 47.8% | 57.1% |
| Age | 23 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £375 | £299 |
| Rating | 4.38/5 | 5.00/5 |
Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)
Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve
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 4.38).
Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release) is better value at £299 vs £375.
For beginners: Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 12 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£375 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 £375)
Cons
- −High ABV (57.1%) — may need water
Who should buy Pappy?
Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve 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 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 Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Old Family Reserve
Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 19 (2019 Release)