Isle of Jura 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 1580) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) vs Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Isle of Jura 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 1580) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve
DistilleryJuraGlenfiddich
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV51.5%40%
Age33 yr21 yr
Price£783.5£499
Rating5.00/5

Isle of Jura 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 1580) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner85/100
Value10/100

Isle of Jura 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 1580) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve is better value at £499 vs £784.

For beginners: Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Isle of Jura 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 1580) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (33 vs 21 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (51.5%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£783.5 vs £499)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Isle?

Isle of Jura 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 1580) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 Glenfiddich?

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve 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.

Tasting notes

Only Isle of Jura 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 1580) - Connoisseurs Choice (Gordon & MacPhail)

Old WoodMalt ExtractOilyNuttySandy

Only Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

SherriedHoneyVanillaCooked FruitTobacco

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