Springbank Vertical Tasting: 10 vs 15 vs 18 Year Old Comparison

Shop All Springbank Bottlings
Campbeltown Region → | Scotch Whisky

What's this all about?

Springbank is one of the few distilleries where a vertical tasting doesn’t just show age — it shows evolution. The DNA is always there: oily texture, coastal funk, and dunnage warehouse charm. But from 10 to 18 years, you get an unfolding narrative — from raw expression to refined maturity.

Here’s how the 2024 10-year, 2022 15-year, and 2020 18-year stack up.

Quick Comparison Table

Whisky	ABV	Cask Profile	Style	Key Notes	Score
Springbank 10 (2024)	46%	Bourbon & Sherry	Bright & Dirty	Lemon peel, sea salt, funk, pepper	8.4/10
Springbank 15 (2022)	46%	Sherry-leaning	Rich & Earthy	Leather, dark fruit, espresso, smoke	8.7/10
Springbank 18 (2020)	46%	Balanced	Mature & Elegant	Cigar box, oak, cacao, maritime herbs	9.0/10

Side-by-Side Notes

Springbank 10 – The Wild One

A fresh slap of salt and citrus. Bright, coastal, oily — everything feels alive and untamed. It has that funky, raw Springbank edge that fans chase, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Best as an intro to the distillery or a weekday dram for peat lovers.

Best For: Exploring Campbeltown’s personality on a budget
Drink Mood: Beach bonfire with a breeze

Springbank 15 – The Middleweight Champion

Heavier. Broodier. The sherry casks step forward with plum, tobacco, and dry spice. That Springbank grit is still there, but dressed up in earth tones and whisky-soaked leather. A great contemplative pour.

Best For: Fans of sherried whisky with a dry, smoky edge
Drink Mood: Autumn evenings and stormy music

Springbank 18 – The Elder Statesman

Refined. Deep. Everything is quieter but more complex. The fruit is dried, the spice is subtle, and the peat comes across as old embers rather than fire. It’s less funky and more layered.

Best For: Sipping slowly when the world is quiet
Drink Mood: A long conversation or a moment of solitude

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Buy?

If you like…	Get this one
Peat and funk with no frills	Springbank 10
Balance between sherry and smoke	Springbank 15
A mature, elegant Campbeltown	Springbank 18

Honestly? They’re all excellent, but they serve different moods. If you're new to Springbank, the 10 is an essential intro. If you’ve been around the block, the 15 is a hearty step up. But if you want to understand how Springbank ages gracefully, the 18 is where the magic happens.

If you’ve tried it already, I’d love to know what you thought. Slide into the comments, or hit me up over on X (@lochsofwhisky).