Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet)
★ 4.00
£100
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Braeval (AKA Braes of Glenlivet) | Glen Spey |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.5% | 50.4% |
| Age | 20 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £99.95 | £133.99 |
| Rating | 4.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.00).
Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £100 vs £134.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£99.95 vs £133.99)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (4.0 vs 5.0)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 20 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £99.95)
Who should buy Braeval?
Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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 Braeval 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 12399) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)