Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling) vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling)
Balvenie
£200
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling) | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Balvenie | Glen Spey |
| Region | — | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 50.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £199.99 | £133.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling)
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).
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is better value at £134 vs £200.
For beginners: Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −More expensive (£199.99 vs £133.99)
- −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 affordable (£133.99 vs £199.99)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
Who should buy Balvenie?
Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling) is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.
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
Both taste of
Only Balvenie 21 Year Old PortWood Finish (Old Bottling)
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)