Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) vs Hakushu Bourbon Barrel

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

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)Hakushu Bourbon Barrel
DistilleryGlen SpeyHakushu
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV50.4%48.2%
Age21 yrNAS
Price£133.99£99.74
Rating5.00/54.33/5

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner60/100
Value37/100

Hakushu Bourbon Barrel

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner75/100
Value43/100

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Hakushu Bourbon Barrel

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.33).

Hakushu Bourbon Barrel is better value at £100 vs £134.

For beginners: Hakushu Bourbon Barrel is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£133.99 vs £99.74)

Hakushu Bourbon Barrel

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£99.74 vs £133.99)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)

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.

Who should buy Hakushu?

Hakushu Bourbon Barrel 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

Both taste of

Fresh FruitVanillaHoney

Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)

CitricOld Wood

Only Hakushu Bourbon Barrel

Malt Extract

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