Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) vs Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Douglas Laing
★ 5.00
£125
| Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glen Spey | Douglas Laing |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 53.2% |
| Age | 21 yr | 14 yr |
| Price | £133.99 | £124.55 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing) is better value at £125 vs £134.
For beginners: Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is more approachable (60/100 beginner score).
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 14 years)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £124.55)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£124.55 vs £133.99)
Cons
- −High ABV (53.2%) — may need water
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 Islay?
Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing) 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
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Only Islay 'Balance' 14 Year Old 2005 - Old Particular Spiritualist Series (Douglas Laing)