Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 Release) vs Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

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

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 Release)Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask
DistillerySpringbankTomintoul
RegionCampbeltownSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV54.1%53.9%
Age12 yr31 yr
Price£199£223.7
Rating5.00/5

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 Release)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness30/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner45/100
Value22/100

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 Release)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 Release) is better value at £199 vs £224.

For beginners: Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 Release)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£199 vs £223.7)

Cons

  • High ABV (54.1%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 12 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (53.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£223.7 vs £199)

Who should buy Springbank?

Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 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.

Who should buy Tomintoul?

Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask 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

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Springbank 12 Year Old Cask Strength - Batch 24 (2023 Release)

LeatheryTobaccoOilyNutty

Only Tomintoul 1981 (cask 5985) - Vintage Single Cask

Old WoodHoneyVanillaDried Fruit

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