Courvoisier L'Essence Cognac vs Highland Park 40 Year Old

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

Courvoisier L'Essence CognacHighland Park 40 Year Old
DistilleryCourvoisierHighland Park
RegionIsland
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeSingle Malt
ABV40%48.3%
AgeNAS40 yr
Price£3000£2995
Rating4.88/5

Courvoisier L'Essence Cognac

Smoke0/100
Sweetness88/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 40 Year Old

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

Courvoisier L'Essence Cognac

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 £3000.

For beginners: Courvoisier L'Essence Cognac is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Courvoisier L'Essence Cognac

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£3000 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 £3000)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Courvoisier?

Courvoisier L'Essence Cognac 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.

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

Old Wood

Only Courvoisier L'Essence Cognac

HoneyVanillaCitric

Only Highland Park 40 Year Old

SherriedTobaccoDried Fruit

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