Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) vs Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134

Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Balmenach
£100
| Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glen Spey | Balmenach |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 50.3% |
| Age | 21 yr | 28 yr |
| Price | £133.99 | £100.15 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) is better value at £100 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
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £100.15)
Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)
Pros
- +More affordable (£100.15 vs £133.99)
- +Longer maturation (28 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.3%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 Balmenach?
Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory) 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
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Only Balmenach 28 Year Old 1988 (cask 3248) - Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)