Tomintoul 33 Year Old vs Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

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

Tomintoul 33 Year OldHighland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark
DistilleryTomintoulHighland Park
RegionSpeysideIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV43%52.9%
Age33 yr17 yr
Price£249.95£299
Rating5.00/54.89/5

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner70/100
Value20/100

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

Smoke64/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value16/100

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomintoul 33 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.89).

Tomintoul 33 Year Old is better value at £250 vs £299.

For beginners: Tomintoul 33 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£249.95 vs £299)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (52.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £249.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Tomintoul?

Tomintoul 33 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark 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

Both taste of

SherriedDried FruitOld Wood

Only Tomintoul 33 Year Old

HoneyNutty

Only Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

SmokeyChocolate

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