Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Ardbeg
£123
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Glen Spey |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.8% | 50.4% |
| Age | 13 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £123.24 | £133.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) is better value at £123 vs £134.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£123.24 vs £133.99)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.8%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
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 13 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £123.24)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod) 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.
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.
Tasting notes
Only Ardbeg 13 Year Old 2005 (cask 700192) - Chieftain's (Ian Macleod)
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)