5 Alternatives to Springbank 10 Year Old: Replacing The Irreplaceable

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

One of my top alternatives for Springbank 10 has become Ardnamurchan AD 01: 21: 01. The first time I ever sipped it I immediately broke out my Springbank 10 to compare. It's lovely stuff and shares many of the same notes(coastal, mineralic, fruity, funky) that Springbank has. Due to a mic problem that clip wasn't presentable. Sorry all! I will be covering Ardnamurchan in the future so they won't be forgotten! Cheers, and thanks again for watching.🥃

[@mcapdevila]

Benromach is definitely a superb alternative to Springbank - or to have a side-by-side comparison. I also tend to consider Ballechin and peated Ben Nevis to fall under this category of dirty, funky malts, perhaps closer to Longrow.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have limited experience as of yet with Ballechin, desperate for more. I do have an exceptionally funky 6 year old sherry cask peated Ben Nevis that might just be the best young whisky outside of Octomore I've had. Carn Mor nailed it with that one. So great call on Ben Nevis!

[@juanmlsanabria]

Nice video!!! Good alternatives, i love what Benromach Distillery is doing, i do find some similarities with Springbank. Cheers!!!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Hey thanks for the comment Juan! Alot to love these days from Benromach.

[@-xirx-]

Benromach CS batch #3 is the bomb, utterly divine and best of the bunch. Another good one is "Wormtub 10 year old". Sherry cask finished 56.1% i really, really recommend!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I love, love, love Benromach Cask Strength releases(and their single casks). I haven't had the batch 3 but I trust you when you say it's the best of the bunch. I haven't had the Wormtub 10 year yet but it is available. I have to try it soon. Cheers eh! 🥃

[@sandymacdonald8485]

I’m a big Benromach fan, especially the CS bottling, in fact I’m going to a Benromach for the heritage tour and tasting this Friday 🥃

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Very jealous Sandy, that should be a great time! Benromach has quickly become one of my go to distilleries. Enjoy Friday! 🥃

[@tunwin5305]

Nice whiskys. Thanks for sharing!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for checking it out! Cheers 🥃

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate your thoughts on these alternatives. Take care. Kind regards, SF

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks Sandro! It was fun chatting yesterday.🥃

[@chazchilly9697]

Look at you showing off your Benromachs 😂 Personally I love the Benromach line! Great video…1st stop at your channel sir👍🏼

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for checking out the channel Chaz! Gotta about my money where my mouth is recommending Benromach. Love the stuff 😄

[@steveno7058]

Nice alternatives. I also like Glen Scotia Double Cask. It has a nice spirit forward and funk profile like SB10. Also Balcones cask strength Malts. Has the same thick mouth feel, funk (different type) and huge flavor.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I also enjoyed the Double Cask, good suggestion! I'll have to keep an eye out for some Balcones. With Diageo hopefully distribution goes up and quality stays high. Then again...Diageo, so belief is real low 😄.

[@Eunegin23]

I still have 2 SB10 from 2 years ago (70 Euros), unfortunately now hard to get. My replacements (better: addition by members of the same family as each whisky is irreplaceable - even considering batches of the same one...): Kilkerran 12 as a daily sipper, Kilkerran heavily peated, Glen Scotia 10 peated, Glen Scotia 15 - all were around 50 Euros (some not anymore unfortunately), Glen Scotia Victoriana (old version), Campbeltown Loch (a very enjoyable uncomplicated malt blend, 2023 for only 44 Euros). Somehow I ended up there after starting with the usual suspects for beginners 30 years ago (Balvenie, Glenmorangie , Glenfiddich, etc.), then the sherry monsters and a brief intermezzo with Islay. Campbeltown it is. For now.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I have enjoyed each and everyone of those you've mentioned here. Campbeltown is a good place to settle down whisky wise, though a more problematic one theses days to source those SB10 mentioned. Glad you had an early start enjoying Campbeltown whiskies, glad you started and now have settled down there with your palate. I'm just arranging shipment of a bottle of Campbeltown Loch my way. Tircky one to get to western Canada. Cheers 🥃

[@uiski7956]

Agreed, Benromach all the way, especially the 46 degrees or cask strengths - sherry and peat and its heaven!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

100% 👍 Such lovely stuff coming out of there, let's just get that core range bumped up to 46% Gordon and Macphail! Cheers 🥃

[@kellywellington7122]

First of all...Springbank is the Benromach of Campbeltown. Benromach, however, has a weak core without integrity, their recent rebrand really sux, and the rumors suggest that their product is infested with faeries from Findhorn. I think all your other suggestions to be excellent. This year, I managed to obtain bottles of each of the core Springbank offerings. The 15 cost me deep in the pocket and I had to travel to another state to get it. None of it was available where I live, but I managed to have it shipped to my door...for a premium, of course. Earlier, I sought something to replace a retail travel special from Highland Park called 'Einar'....because HP's core couldn't (thanks for the lead on the Cask Orkney). I stumbled into Westland Peated ASM and thought I'd made it when somebody suggested Benromach. The Benro10 was in a period of protracted absence from local retail shelves, but the 15 was there, so I picked that up. Ever since then, I've been captive to the faeries. I'm just suggesting that you not lead people astray....because too many of them snapping up all the bottles like they were Springbanks will upset the faeries. From Findhorn. You don't want to do that, now, do you?

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Glad you got your fair share of the Springbank Core Range, even if it took some extra shipping fees! I was able to get a 10 and 12CS this year but nothing else. Either way I'll take it. IB Secret Orkney takes a good chunk of change from me, alot of it is excellent. I suddenly feel compelled to talk about Auchentoshan as the Hazelburn of the Lowlands... mustn't...anger... the faeries. Cheers Kelly 🥃

[@Rohit_M]

Great list of alternatives. I recently managed to get a bottle of SB10 but man that was painful to get and it was pricey. I've had Benromach 10, couple of bottles of Kilkerran 12 and Craigellachie 13's. Having gone through Benromach 10 and K12 bottles and listening to many malt reviewers, I can almost taste SB10 now. As the SB availability remains an issue in many markets and K12 falling into the same, I would stick with Benromach 10 as possibly the closest and a great value IMO. I wish it was bottled at 46%+ vs at 43%.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

It's wonderful to have a handful of bottles that can replicate some of the SB10 magic. And you are exactly right, we really only need Benromach to bump the core range up to 46% to make it reach its full potential.

[@marclambert8596]

Lacking the bump to higher ABV, I find the Benromach 10 abit thin so wonder what else they release that also avoids much sherry sweetness? I’m keen to explore alot more Benromach so suggestions appreciated!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

If you can still find it, Benromach has it's "Contrasts: Peat Smoke" in an entirely first fill Ex-Bourbon cask at 46%(And at $80CAD!). That would be my suggestion. There is also an abundance in my markets (B.C. and Alberta) of first fill Ex-Bourbon, cask strength single cask Benromach O.B.'s Failing a similar thing where you are try to find that Contasts bottling. Cheers! 🥃

[@danmorgan7775]

I have a bottle of Springbank 10 with a dram or two left in it that I just don't want to finish because finding it again in the near future looks a grim prospect. Benromach is a decent malt I have enjoyed in the past though I'm not sure what possessed them to apparently use maker's mark bourbon as the inspiration for their rebranding. I recently got a bottle of Craigellachie 13 for Christmas and am enjoying it quite a bit although I don't think it reminds me too much of Springbank so far. It has an interesting character all it's own and is complex and probably not for everyone, so in that way it is similar. Kilkerran is an absolutely spectacular malt and it is fortunately still somewhat more available in Ontario than it's Campbeltown cousins (though as I say that it is apparently now out of stock across the province..sigh). Fortunately I do have a bottle of Longrow to help me get through the winter. :)

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Now I feel cheated that Benromach isn't slam dunk dipping their bottles in wax. What a rebrand fail! That Longrow is a trusted friend upon this frozen tundra, glad you have it. Great whisky to drink through the winter. Cheers 🥃

[@primewhisky]

Think my alternitive would be Kilkerran 12y or Craigellachie 13y both excellent drams

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Both are killer whiskies in their own right. Great options for sure!

[@Boxer1250RT]

Glen Scotia 15 is an awesome alternative to SB10. It is so good that I cannot even call an alternative to any other bottle. One of my all time favorites!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I just cracked my bottle of Glen Scotia 15 the other day. Certainly has some similar characteristics with SB15(funk and fruit). I felt that I should have more than just a single dram of experience with it before putting it in a video. But, so far, I would happen to agree, GS15 is a special dram! Cheers 🍻

[@Yong_Goh]

the GS15 is an excellent whisky but i feel its much more heavy with the cask influence and the predominant vanilla and spice makes it quite different from the barn yard & dirty car workshop property that i look for in the SB10

[@marclambert8596]

I think ur description of the differences with GS 15 is perfect, and also holds true for the other ages. It’s a richer, heavier and sweeter distillate in general I think that generally receives the stronger vanillins from bourbon caskings more readily than Springbank. BUT I still do consider GS a solid alternative to SB and worth collecting in it’s own right, especially the experimental annual caskings.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I both love and am terrified by the increase in appreciation for Glen Scotia. The more I tuck into the 15 the more impressed I am. The whole range seems solid.

[@-xirx-]

Glen Scotia CS victoriana ❤

[@Yong_Goh]

Pssstt... if you like the "dirty malt" type of genre, do give a try to the Glen Garioch 12.. doesn't have the Campbeltown funk to be reckoned a SB10 alternative, but its def a dirty type whisky

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks! I keep hearing this! I sprung for the Glen Garioch Renaissance 4th edition 18 year and can definitely see that. Gotta try that Glen Garioch 12, sounds like a great Malt and value.

[@chazchilly9697]

Loch Lomond 12 is currently on special at costco in the US for $28.99…definitely doesn’t hit the exquisite nature of the SB10 but for that price it punches way above in quality and flavor

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

For that price I'd buy one plus a backup! What a great price. For me it's around $100 CAD. For that reason I spent an additional $10 and for the 18 year instead.

[@chazchilly9697]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast oh wow…crazy how prices are so all over the place in different areas of the world. Great start to the channel by the way…i started watching your part 1/2 of 2022…subbed too👍🏼

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Hey thanks! It's been going better than I could have hoped. Hopefully it keep up 😄 Thanks for the sub!

[@marclambert8596]

Good rec on LL 18, but be aware that some bottlings have some weird flavors that dissipate nicely if u decant and let breath. I was really shocked at how tight and uninteresting it was for the first third of the bottle then it REALLY opened up when I experimented with decanting a third into another bottle!

[@gurtana]

I really like the background acoustic guitar music you have on in your video (as well as your content of main subject matter, of course). Is this a piece you have composed and are playing?

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Hey thanks, I like it too! I wish I was talented enough to create music like that. It was a freeware track, I'll try to dig up who did it 😀

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Quite a nice bit of alternatives. I can easily get the Craigellachie 13 year and the Glen Scotia for something that is close. The others I can't get for one reason or another.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Glad you can at least get that Glen Scotia and the Craig 13. Both are excellent choices!

[@jezhellewell7690]

Excellent review & information. The Victioriana is on my list, just a little expensive at the minute. Can I throw Loch Lomond 12 in there? Really interesting & unusual flavours at a great price here in the UK.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Loch Lomond is on the list for sure. Heard that one mentioned a few times. I've had the Loch Lomond 18, I'll need to try the 12 soon!

[@jezhellewell7690]

You went straight in with the expensive one! 😆 How was it?

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

$10 difference in price between the two gave me no choice 😄 I was powerless to stop myself!

[@jezhellewell7690]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast wow, sounds like a great deal!

[@cookieMonsterSincho]

BenRomach will do, amazing stuff

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Love their whisky, glad you do too! Cheers 🥃

[@benjaminnagy8664]

Nice video❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 well done. Spring is just so unique, so not easy to get something similar. Your options are quiet good. The older bottling of Benromach 10 could be even more similar. Or maybe some Benriach bottling can be a winner as well! Slainte!🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks Benjamin, I appreciate it! There's no true replacement for Springbank, but I think we can come close! I've had less Benriach than Glendronach in my life, so I should probably explore that distillery a bit more. Cheers!🥃 🇨🇦

[@benjaminnagy8664]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast there is a lot of nice choice in Benriach on the market. 25y ob is just a beauty. But in younger staff as well they have nice ones. And they are good with casks. If you like port i suggest the 17y old solstice for example ;) slainte🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jamesdoolan7966]

Got the Springbank 15, the Kilkerran 12 and the Glen Scotia Victiriana. I’d say the closest of the 3 is the Kilkerran but over the whiskey I’ve had I’d say the Glen Scotia 15 is probably the closest. All great whiskeys!!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Glen Scotia 15 is a great suggestion! I've only just cracked mine so I wasn't familiar enough with it to suggest it on this video. I enjoyed my first dram, has a good amount of funk and fruit. 👍

[@nealbruce5914]

Loch Lomond 12 definitely! They own Glen Scotica (sorry) as well. Always feels like a CTown!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Fond of both of those distilleries. I need to get more familiar with that Loch Lomond 12. Cheers! 🥃

[@ricklence3308]

I had a friend look for Kilkerran in Scotland. The bottle cost 299.95 English Pounds!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Absolutely ridiculous price! Shocking truly. I am sure that your friend left that bottle right where it was, or, at least I'm really hoping they did! Cheers 🥃

[@primewhisky]

Great video!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks Prime!

[@brendanholden6914]

Great vid 👍 What people need to do is a little home blending. Glen Scotia and Benromach 15 make a fantastic dram! Both excellent distilleries but try putting a half bottle of both away and coming back in a few months. (Try 30% Ben in the mix) Tell me in a few months whether I'm right......or right. Slaintè

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Home blending can be so rewarding and fun! I'll be trying this recipe, GS 15 and Ben 15, in due time, sounds like it should be excellent. Cheers!

[@j.k.8537]

Just picked up 2 bottles of SB-10 in jasper last weekend! 100$ each

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

May the Springbank be with you! Would be crazy not to take those with you. Qell done! Liquor Lodge?

[@j.k.8537]

Yup, they were fully stocked with Springbanks, Kilkarrens and longrows!

[@j.k.8537]

I also seen a saskwatch……my lucky day Ha!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

There's a story behind that one.

[@j.k.8537]

Saskwatch sighting was just a joke, but running into the full lineup from Campbeltown is probably just as rare these days ;)

[@dgunnut6550]

I’m a big fan of Benromach, but don’t let too many in on the secret as it’s nice and affordable at the moment. I have been fortunate to have access to Kilkerran in my area, but it’s already getting up there in price. Maybe Springbank should hire enough people to staff both distilleries full time. That would help both Springbank and Kilkerran availability. Great video!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for stopping by again! Yeah, it would be really wonderful for them to produce at capacity at both distilleries. Alas, 9 months of the year they don't even staff a cleaner for Kilkerran and food rots in the Kilkerran fridge(at least this time there were grapes 🍇 in there turning into bad wine according to Aquavitae 🤣). I would be more careful on the Benromach hype but Ralfy kinda let that genie out of the bottle with his Cask Strength video. I heard no one talk about it forever and now it's likely the most sought after of the range.

[@DileepB]

How about the Glen Scotia 15? Forget about the 43% ABV chill filtered Benromach!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Ahh man, I know it could be so much better but that 10 is still good in spite of the silly decision to bottle at 43% and Chill filtered. Maybe the play would be to boycott it until they change that? On the Glen Scotia 15, I only cracked mine after that video. At this point it would definitely make the list. Maybe a new list next year? 😄

[@DileepB]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast I also have the 10 year old 2021 Festival release, but have not opened it yet.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Glad you could get a one off Glen Scotia like that festival bottling. We don't see them too much but we get some nice single casks. I just ordered a G&M Glen Scotia 20 year old I'm hoping will be good.

[@DileepB]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast found it at a Costco in San Jose! Also found a Travel Exclusive Glen Scotia Campbeltown 1832 at Delhi Duty Free a few weeks ago. Where do you shop usually?

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Alberta and British Columbia entirely. In B.C. we aren't able to buy spirits anywhere but liquor stores so no Costco. Easiest representation of availability is the B.C. liquor store website. They do have Costco liquor in Alberta. Specialty stores like KWM in Calgary among others are my main sources now.

[@rfpho1456]

Kilkerran is rather nice as is Longrow - the NAS Longrow seems attainable in the UK for now. Craigellachie is great too. We’re lucky we can get lots of interesting independent bottles from the likes of Cadenheads and that’s where I’m looking..

[@patzerville4033]

Probably already mentioned, but can not find it in comments: Craigellaiche 13 is non-colored :)

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for that! And what a whisky the Craigellachie 13 is! Punches way above its price point. Love that whisky. Cheers eh! 🥃

[@markdunn1931]

So sad haven't seen any of these in my state, cheers.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

That is a bleak appraisal of selection in your area. Sorry to hear Mark. Hope it gets better one day. Cheers 🥃

[@josesoza5836]

The listing is generally accepted among the whisky lovers….but I like a lot the Glengarriot 12, it is very dirty???what you think?

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I think there is a good amount of consensus around this for sure. Glen Garioch 12 is one of my favourites too! I do find an industrial machine shop, old engine oil soaked rags quality that I'd describe as dirty. It's not as obvious as in Springbank but it is certainly there. Glan Garioch 12 is a phenomenal whisky. Great choice Jose! Cheers 🥃

[@MrPsiman]

Where is the Ben Nevis- Macdonald light peated?

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Sadly stuck in the U.k., Europe and other places that aren't Canada 😒 I enjoy Ben Nevis but can only get it from independent bottlers(not complaining there really, it's still great). Glad you get to enjoy it, Ben Nevis is a wonderful spirit, wish I could get that O.B. 10 or the Macdonald! Cheers! 🥃

[@MrPsiman]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast O.B.'s are not shipped to the U.S. either but I order it from the UK and there are indy stuff around usually at cask strength

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

The indy's are my go to. Glad you are able to import. We have to do so through the government liquor board and can only truly do so in one province(Alberta). You're gonna at least double the sale price + shipping to get it here, if you can. But we've got plenty to keep us busy. Still, when I go to the U.K. this year I'll keep an eye out to try it!

[@allanbeaton5489]

Victoriana is un peated but the smoke come from heavily charred casks. I was sure it was peated also by the way, I actually called the distillery to ask the question.. Slainte

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Man, what they did with those charred casks and this whisky I general was pretty remarkable for the price asked. Thanks for the info! Cheers Allan 🥃

[@Hexagonal_Crank]

Pretty sure suggesting the Springbank 15 is going to get me roasted. XD I'll second the Kilkerran 12. Two years ago it was my go-to "can't find Springbank" bottle, but even the 12 is getting harder and hard to find anymore. Plus, the price has jumped up to $100CAD and I wouldn't be surprised if it inches towards $120 in the next two years =/

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Similarly, I thought I was gonna get roasted for suggesting K12. Glad I have backups of SB15 cause my luck getting some has been 💩 lately. I hope you're wrong about the price of K12 going to $120, but if I search my thoughts I know it to be true. 😔

[@edgewalker7459]

I have had a bottle o springbank on my shelf all year , just don’t enjoy it , thought I was on a bargain getting it for 46£ ,, this year I have just about every Arran that been released ! tomatin 12&18 Benriach Benromach Glendronach Glenallachie bunahabhain bruichladdich and a good few others all empty now and that springbank still sitting there, lol poor thing ,

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Sounds like you're really not getting on with that Springer. That's probably disappointing, but I suppose there's that silver lining of not feeling the need to chase it like the rest of the horde! 😀 Glad you've kept it around instead of pouring it out. You never know when it might click with your palate, or continue proving your first inclination correct. Also glad you've got plenty of other Malts to keep you happy 😊

[@edgewalker7459]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast yeah I wouldn’t waste it ,I’m trying a few experimental blends of my own ,,, rock island style, I get plenty good malts to try , I have family in the bottling plants and whisky’s industry, and live a few miles from Arran just across the water from Campbeltown ,, couldn’t live in a better spot for a whisky lover

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Perfect place on earth to be into Malt Whisky, and perfect connections too. Arran. I guess you'd be a great person to give an opinion of Lagg! Have you tried it yet? Love Arran, have been lukewarm on Machrie Moor, so I'm hopefuly Lagg will come through big!

[@marclambert8596]

@@whiskyonthewestcoast Why not the Machrie Moor? I’ve only had one and it piqued my interest but didn’t wow me.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

@@marclambert8596 I suppose it's that last part you mention. I only had a small pour, I considered purchasing it as it is interesting to me, but it didn't wow me, and that's a competitive part of the market to be in. Didn't convince me to purchase a whole bottle. Been curious about the MM CS though.

[@kirks.1854]

Only the Kilkerran really tastes like Springbank. The rest are good but not very much like Springbank. Glen Scotia is second closest because it's made with the same Loch water.

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Thanks for watching Kirk. Cheers! 🥃

[@superodfx]

Springunattainable

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

More and more it's becoming that rare earth element known as Unobtanium. Wish it weren't the case.

[@raeraeraeth]

Highland Park funk is underrated

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I totally agree! Edrington could do so much more to showcase that style of distillate, if they wanted. At least we have Independent Bottlers!

[@kuzmanmeramov1729]

Springbank isn't finest spirt on the planet to look for replacement with same almost taste(profile)😂 Spring bank is flipping spirits for greedy individuals backed from everyone, well organised jobbery

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I mean, it might be for flipping to some groups right now, but it languished on shelves for years pretty much ignored. And MSRP on it is at least fair, unlike Macallan and Co. I will say there does seem to be some fairly blatant market manipulation surrounding Springbank that people like Jeremy and Rob have talked about. Still, I really enjoy the profile of this whisky. But to each their own, right? Cheers 🥃