Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask
Caol Ila
£105
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
| Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask | 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 | 56.1% | 50.4% |
| Age | 14 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £104.51 | £133.99 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask
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).
Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask is better value at £105 vs £134.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More affordable (£104.51 vs £133.99)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (56.1%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 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)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 14 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £104.51)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Caol?
Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask 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
Only Caol Ila 14 Year Old 2008 (cask 314563A) - The Single Cask
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)