Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve vs Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

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

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana ReserveGlen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryGlenfiddichGlen Grant
RegionSpeysideSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV40%54.5%
Age21 yr30 yr
Price£499£557.9
Rating5.00/5

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

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

Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

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 £558.

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

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

Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (30 vs 21 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (54.5%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£557.9 vs £499)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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.

Who should buy Glen?

Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedHoneyCooked Fruit

Only Glenfiddich 21 Year Old - Havana Reserve

VanillaTobacco

Only Glen Grant 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 4427569) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)

Old WoodDried Fruit

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