Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old vs Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old
Johnnie Walker
★ 4.03
£150
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
★ 5.00
£106
| Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old | Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Johnnie Walker | Glen Grant |
| Region | Other Scotch | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 52.5% |
| Age | 21 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £150 | £106.37 |
| Rating | 4.03/5 | 5.00/5 |
Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.03).
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £106 vs £150.
For beginners: Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£150 vs £106.37)
- −Lower community rating (4.0 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 £150)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Johnnie?
Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
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
Both taste of
Only Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old
Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)