Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Benrinnes
★ 4.25
£165
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benrinnes | Glen Spey |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 58.8% | 50.4% |
| Age | 23 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £164.66 | £133.99 |
| Rating | 4.25/5 | 5.00/5 |
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.25).
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is better value at £134 vs £165.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (23 vs 21 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£164.66 vs £133.99)
- −Lower community rating (4.3 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 £164.66)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) 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
Both taste of
Only Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)