Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi)

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

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint MagnusGlen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi)
DistilleryHighland ParkGlen Grant
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55%56.3%
Age12 yr29 yr
Price£299£257
Rating5.00/5

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

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

Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi) is better value at £257 vs £299.

For beginners: Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi) is more approachable (50/100 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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £257)

Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +More affordable (£257 vs £299)
  • +Longer maturation (29 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56.3%) — may need water
  • 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 Glen?

Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi) 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

Both taste of

Honey

Only Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokeyToastedMalt Extract

Only Glen Grant 29 Year Old 1988 (cask 9165) (Adelphi)

SherriedDried FruitChocolateOld Wood

Explore more