Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt) vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Balblair
★ 5.00
£125
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt) | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balblair | Glen Spey |
| Region | Highland | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 50.4% |
| Age | 23 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £124.95 | £133.99 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Quick verdict
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt) is better value at £125 vs £134.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£124.95 vs £133.99)
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £124.95)
- −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 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 Balblair 1990 Islay Cask 1466 (Master of Malt)
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)