Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.) vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.)
Ardmore
£105
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.) | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Ardmore | Glen Spey |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.5% | 50.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £104.95 | £133.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.)
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).
Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.) is better value at £105 vs £134.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£104.95 vs £133.99)
Cons
- −High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £104.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Ardmore?
Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.) 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 Ardmore 21 Year Old 1998 (Thompson Bros.)
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)