Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid
Caol Ila
£150
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Glen Spey |
| Region | Islay | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 46% | 50.4% |
| Age | 13 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £150 | £133.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is better value at £134 vs £150.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
Cons
- −More expensive (£150 vs £133.99)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
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 £150)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Islay character.
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
Only Caol Ila 13 Year Old 1989 - Murray McDavid
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)