Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s vs Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s
Bowmore
★ 4.80
£150
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Glen Grant
★ 5.00
£106
| Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s | Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Bowmore | Glen Grant |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 43% | 52.5% |
| Age | 15 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £150 | £106.37 |
| Rating | 4.80/5 | 5.00/5 |
Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s
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 rated higher (5.00 vs 4.80).
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £106 vs £150.
For beginners: Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£150 vs £106.37)
- −Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£106.37 vs £150)
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 15 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (52.5%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Bowmore?
Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s 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 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
Both taste of
Only Bowmore 15 Year Old Mariner - 2010s
Only Glen Grant 20 Year Old 1992 (cask 446106) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)