Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) vs Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

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

Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryDumbartonGlen Grant
RegionLowlandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeGrainSingle Malt
ABV44.1%52.5%
Age31 yr20 yr
Price£113.77£106.37
Rating5.00/5

Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner45/100
Value47/100

Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £106 vs £114.

For beginners: Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).

Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (31 vs 20 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£113.77 vs £106.37)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£106.37 vs £113.77)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (52.5%) — may need water

Who should buy Dumbarton?

Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.

Who should buy Glen?

Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Dumbarton 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 15558) - The Sovereign (Hunter Laing)

Malt ExtractOilyNuttyHay-likeYeasty

Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

SherriedVanillaCooked FruitHoneyToasted

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