Kilkerran 12 vs Springbank 10: Which Wins?

Discover the differences between Kilkerran 12 vs Springbank 10 in this in-depth comparison and decide which Single Malt is better for You!

Kilkerran 12

Nose	Marzipan, pineapple, vanilla, dates
Palate	Vanilla, toffee, honey, orange
Finish	Honey, orange, ginger
Alcohol content	92 proof (46% ABV)
How to drink	Add water
Similar to	Glengoyne 12

The nose brings marzipan at first, followed by a rich pineapple note, along vanilla, dates and a very light hint of smoke.

On the palate, Kilkerran provides a lovely oily mouthfeel. Flavor brings notes of vanilla, toffee, honey, a touch of orange and just a tiny whiff of smoke.

The finish is satisfyingly warm, with notes of honey, orange, a subtle touch of ginger and a dash of black pepper.

Adding water brings more toffee and oak making it more enjoyable.

Kilkerran 12 a solid easy drinker, with no harsh or off-putting notes with a simple but robust flavor profile.

This is one of the best 12 year single malts and the best whisky under 50 pounds in Britain.

Kilkerran 12 facts:

• Aged for a dozen years using a combination of 70% bourbon and 30% sherry casks.

• This malt is free of artificial caramel-coloring and not chill-filtered.

• Crafted at the Glengyle Distillery, founded in 1872, closed down in 1925 and reopened in 2004.

• The name Kilkerran, comes from the Scottish gaelic Cean loch cillie kiaran (Home of Saint Kieran), who is one of the Irish Apostles.

Springbank 10

Nose	Oak, baking spice, ripe fruit, honey, smoke
Palate	Malt, citrus, berries, brine, marzipan
Finish	Smoke, toasted barley, caramel
Alcohol content	92 proof (46% ABV)
How to drink	Add water
Similar to	Talisker 10, Ardbeg 10, Glen Scotia 15

There is oak on the nose, followed by hints of baking spice, ripe fruit, honey and just a subtle touch of smoke.

On the palate, the Springbank feels creamy and full bodied. Flavor provides malt and citrus up-front, followed by berries, brine and marzipan.

There is a pleasant smoky note on the finish, full of toasted barley and caramel.

This is a smooth whisky, with a subtle amount of smoke making it an easy drinker when compared to Islay Whiskies like Ardbeg or Laphroaig, but more complex and interesting than the typical Speyside Whisky like Glenfiddich or Glenlivet.

Perhaps a bit pricey for a 10 YO when you can buy a similar whisky like the Benromach which is just as good at a steep discount.

Springbank is a Campbeltown Scotch, once a major producer of Whisky with as many as 30 functioning distilleries. Unfortunately, most of the distilleries have gone out of business with only 3 left.

Springbank dates back to 1828 and remains a family-owned business. The entire production is handled on site including floor malting the barley, aging, and bottling making it unique in Scotland.

Springbank 10 facts:

• Aged for 10 years using a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.

• Springbank dries the malted barley with just 6 hours of peat smoke and 30 hours of hot air.

• Distilled 2.5 times.

• Springbank is completely legit as it does not use caramel-coloring.

• This is a non chill-filtered whisky.

Kilkerran 12 vs Springbank 10: Price comparison

Prices are approximate:

Whisky	United States	Britain
Kilkerran 12	$94	£48
Springbank 10	$82	£46

Kilkerran 12 vs Springbank 10: Which is better?

Whiskey	Kilkerran 12	Springbank 10
Nose	✅	✅
Body	✅	✅
Palate	✅	✅
Finish	✅	✅
Value	✅	✅

• These malts are very similar as they are smooth, yet tasty and subtle on the smoke.

• Kilkerran and Springbank are legit as they are free of artificial caramel-coloring and are not chill-filtered.

• They drink easy neat while adding water makes them a bit sweeter while bringing more oak.

• The additional aging makes the Kilkerran 12 less smoky and a bit richer in oak.

• Hard to choose one from the other but if I were forced to decide I would stay with the Kilkerran as I like that little kick it gives on the finish reminding you that you are drinking a proper whisky.