Midleton Very Rare 1997 vs Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

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

Midleton Very Rare 1997Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013
DistilleryMidletonHighland Park
RegionIsland
CountryIrelandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%48.1%
AgeNAS30 yr
Price£999£999
Rating5.00/5

Midleton Very Rare 1997

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner45/100
Value5/100

Midleton Very Rare 1997

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 is better value at £999 vs £999.

For beginners: Midleton Very Rare 1997 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Midleton Very Rare 1997

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

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

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

Pros

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

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Midleton?

Midleton Very Rare 1997 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyToasted

Only Midleton Very Rare 1997

VanillaMalt ExtractNew Wood

Only Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

SmokeyDried FruitOld Wood

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