Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) vs Shizuoka United S

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

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)Shizuoka United S
DistilleryGlen SpeyShizuoka
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV50.4%50.5%
Age21 yr3 yr
Price£133.99£120
Rating5.00/5

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

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

Shizuoka United S

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Shizuoka United S

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Shizuoka United S is better value at £120 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)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 3 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£133.99 vs £120)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Shizuoka United S

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£120 vs £133.99)

Cons

  • High ABV (50.5%) — 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 Shizuoka?

Shizuoka United S 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

Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

Fresh FruitCitricVanillaHoneyOld Wood

Only Shizuoka United S

SmokeyToastedMalt ExtractYeasty

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