The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask vs Highland Park 40 Year Old

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

The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single CaskHighland Park 40 Year Old
DistilleryThe MacallanHighland Park
RegionSpeysideIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV59.3%48.3%
Age21 yr40 yr
Price£2999£2995
Rating4.88/5

The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner55/100
Value2/100

The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Highland Park 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 40 Year Old is rated higher (4.88 vs 0.00).

Highland Park 40 Year Old is better value at £2995 vs £2999.

For beginners: Highland Park 40 Year Old is more approachable (55/100 beginner score).

The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (59.3%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£2999 vs £2995)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.9)

Highland Park 40 Year Old

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.9/5)
  • +More affordable (£2995 vs £2999)
  • +Longer maturation (40 vs 21 years)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy The?

The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask 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 Highland?

Highland Park 40 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

SherriedDried FruitOld Wood

Only The Macallan 21 Year Old 1980 (cask 4063) - Exceptional Single Cask

ChocolateToasted

Only Highland Park 40 Year Old

Tobacco

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