Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) vs MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

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

Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)
DistilleryGlenburgieMacNair's
RegionSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%48%
Age21 yr21 yr
Price£124.97£125
Rating5.00/5

Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness69/100
Beginner75/100
Value0/100

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner45/100
Value40/100

Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) is better value at £125 vs £125.

For beginners: Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£124.97 vs £125)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£125 vs £124.97)

Who should buy Glenburgie?

Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail) 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 MacNair's?

MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Only Glenburgie 21 Year Old - Distillery Labels (Gordon & MacPhail)

Malt ExtractHoneyVanillaCooked FruitOld Wood

Only MacNair's Lum Reek 21 Year Old (Old Bottling)

SmokeySherriedDried FruitOily

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