Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s
Bell's
★ 4.88
£100
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bell's | Glen Spey |
| Region | Other Scotch | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 50.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £99.95 | £133.99 |
| Rating | 4.88/5 | 5.00/5 |
Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.88).
Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s is better value at £100 vs £134.
For beginners: Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s is more approachable (90/100 beginner score).
Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£99.95 vs £133.99)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £99.95)
Who should buy Bell's?
Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s 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 Bell's 21 Year Old Royal Reserve - 1980s
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)