Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£299
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
The Macallan
£399
| Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus | Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | The Macallan |
| Region | Island | Speyside |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55% | 43% |
| Age | 12 yr | 18 yr |
| Price | £299 | £399 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Quick verdict
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus is better value at £299 vs £399.
For beginners: Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) is more approachable (85/100 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)
- +More affordable (£299 vs £399)
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£399 vs £299)
- −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 Macallan?
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail) 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Only Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Where to buy
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Macallan 1997 (bottled 2015) - Speymalt (Gordon & MacPhail)
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange