Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) vs Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

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

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistilleryGlen SpeyCooley
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV50.4%48.5%
Age21 yr17 yr
Price£133.99£98.95
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner60/100
Value37/100

Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner60/100
Value51/100

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is better value at £99 vs £134.

For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 17 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£133.99 vs £98.95)

Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£98.95 vs £133.99)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Glen?

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) 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 Cooley?

Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaHoneyOld Wood

Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

Fresh FruitCitric

Only Cooley 17 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Malt ExtractToasted

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