Midleton Very Rare 1987 vs Highland Park 40 Year Old

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

Midleton Very Rare 1987Highland Park 40 Year Old
DistilleryMidletonHighland Park
RegionIsland
CountryIrelandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%48.3%
AgeNAS40 yr
Price£2999£2995
Rating3.00/54.88/5

Midleton Very Rare 1987

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner85/100
Value1/100

Highland Park 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner55/100
Value2/100

Midleton Very Rare 1987

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Highland Park 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 40 Year Old is rated higher (4.88 vs 3.00).

Highland Park 40 Year Old is better value at £2995 vs £2999.

For beginners: Midleton Very Rare 1987 is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Midleton Very Rare 1987

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£2999 vs £2995)
  • Lower community rating (3.0 vs 4.9)

Highland Park 40 Year Old

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.9/5)
  • +More affordable (£2995 vs £2999)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Midleton?

Midleton Very Rare 1987 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 Highland?

Highland Park 40 Year Old 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

Old Wood

Only Midleton Very Rare 1987

VanillaHoneyMalt Extract

Only Highland Park 40 Year Old

SherriedTobaccoDried Fruit

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