Cardhu 18 Year Old vs Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
| Cardhu 18 Year Old | Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Cardhu | Glen Spey |
| Region | Speyside | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 50.4% |
| Age | 18 yr | 21 yr |
| Price | £96.9 | £133.99 |
| Rating | 4.33/5 | 5.00/5 |
Cardhu 18 Year Old
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Cardhu 18 Year Old
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.33).
Cardhu 18 Year Old is better value at £97 vs £134.
For beginners: Cardhu 18 Year Old is more approachable (90/100 beginner score).
Cardhu 18 Year Old
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£96.9 vs £133.99)
Cons
- −Lower community rating (4.3 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 18 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £96.9)
Who should buy Cardhu?
Cardhu 18 Year Old 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 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 Cardhu 18 Year Old
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)