Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks

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

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint MagnusBalvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks
DistilleryHighland ParkBalvenie
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55%47.4%
Age12 yr11 yr
Price£299£250
Rating5.00/5

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner35/100
Value17/100

Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks is better value at £250 vs £299.

For beginners: Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Longer maturation (12 vs 11 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (55%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £250)

Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks

Pros

  • +More affordable (£250 vs £299)

Cons

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

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus 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.

Who should buy Balvenie?

Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyToasted

Only Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokeyMalt Extract

Only Balvenie 11 Year Old 2012 - Collection of Curious Casks

Cooked FruitSherriedVanilla

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