Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£299
Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Bell's
£225
| Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus | Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Bell's |
| Region | Island | — |
| Country | Scotland | United Kingdom |
| Type | Single Malt | |
| ABV | 55% | 40% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £299 | £225 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Quick verdict
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky is better value at £225 vs £299.
For beginners: Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky 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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£299 vs £225)
Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +More affordable (£225 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 Bell's?
Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky 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
Only Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Only Bell's Royal Reserve 20 Year Old / Bot.1970s Blended Scotch Whisky