Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) vs Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Glen Spey
★ 5.00
£134
Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Alistair Walker
£100
| Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) | Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Glen Spey | Alistair Walker |
| Region | Speyside | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 50.4% | 52.1% |
| Age | 21 yr | 20 yr |
| Price | £133.99 | £99.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Quick verdict
Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) is better value at £100 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
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 20 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£133.99 vs £99.95)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)
Pros
- +Intense, complex peat smoke character
- +More affordable (£99.95 vs £133.99)
Cons
- −Challenging for beginners — intense and polarising
- −High ABV (52.1%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 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 Orkney?
Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker) is for peat enthusiasts and experienced whisky lovers who appreciate bold, smoky, medicinal character. If you enjoy Ardbeg or Laphroaig, this is your dram. Not recommended for beginners.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Glen Spey 21 Year Old (Special Release 2010)
Only Orkney 20 Year Old 1999 (cask A324-4) - Infrequent Flyers (Alistair Walker)