Ardbeg 21 Year Old vs Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Ardbeg
★ 5.00
£599
Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
£558
| Ardbeg 21 Year Old | Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardbeg | Glen Grant |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 54.5% |
| Age | 21 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £599 | £557.9 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Quick verdict
Ardbeg 21 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £558 vs £599.
For beginners: Ardbeg 21 Year Old is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£599 vs £557.9)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +More affordable (£557.9 vs £599)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 21 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardbeg?
Ardbeg 21 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
Who should buy Glen?
Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - 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 Ardbeg 21 Year Old
Only Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)