Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt) vs Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£125
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
★ 5.00
£106
| Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt) | Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Glen Grant |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 52.5% |
| Age | 23 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £124.95 | £106.37 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
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 better value at £106 vs £125.
For beginners: Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£124.95 vs £106.37)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£106.37 vs £124.95)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Balblair?
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt) 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 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 Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)