Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger vs Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Artful Dodger
£180
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£228
| Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger | Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Artful Dodger | Highland Park |
| Region | — | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 51.2% | 48.5% |
| Age | 30 yr | 28 yr |
| Price | £179.5 | £228.43 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Quick verdict
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger is better value at £180 vs £228.
For beginners: Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Pros
- +More affordable (£179.5 vs £228.43)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 28 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (51.2%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£228.43 vs £179.5)
Who should buy Speyside?
Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger 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 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) 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
Only Speyside 30 Year Old 1989 (cask 4555) - The Artful Dodger
Only Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)