Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s vs Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

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

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960sHighland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
DistillerySuntoryHighland Park
Region
CountryJapanScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV43%50.2%
AgeNAS26 yr
Price£300£343.95
Rating4.88/55.00/5

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value16/100

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value15/100

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.88).

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s is better value at £300 vs £344.

For beginners: Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£300 vs £343.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (50.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£343.95 vs £300)

Who should buy Suntory?

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyOld Wood

Only Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

Malt ExtractVanillaFragant

Only Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokeyToasted

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