Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£299
Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Auchentoshan
£449
| Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus | Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Auchentoshan |
| Region | Island | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55% | 56.2% |
| Age | 12 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £299 | £448.8 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
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 £449.
For beginners: Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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 affordable (£299 vs £448.8)
Cons
- −High ABV (55%) — may need water
Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (56.2%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£448.8 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 Auchentoshan?
Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) 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
Only Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus
Only Auchentoshan 30 Year Old 1990 (cask 14568) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)