Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice vs Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice
Highland Park
£707
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Ardbeg
★ 4.82
£499
| Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice | Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Ardbeg |
| Region | Island | Islay |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40.1% | 46% |
| Age | 31 yr | 16 yr |
| Price | £706.95 | £499 |
| Rating | — | 4.82/5 |
Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Quick verdict
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is rated higher (4.82 vs 0.00).
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) is better value at £499 vs £707.
For beginners: Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (31 vs 16 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£706.95 vs £499)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.8)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.8/5)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice 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 Ardbeg?
Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006) 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.
Tasting notes
Only Highland Park 31 Year Old 1987 (cask 1551) - Mackillop's Choice
Only Ardbeg Airigh Nam Beist 16 Year Old 1990 (bottled 2006)