Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs Pittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky

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

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint MagnusPittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky
DistilleryHighland ParkPittyvaich
RegionIsland
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeSingle Malt
ABV55%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£299£483
Rating5.00/5

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner35/100
Value17/100

Pittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Pittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £483.

For beginners: Pittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky is more approachable (85/100 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 £483)

Cons

  • High ABV (55%) — may need water

Pittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky

Pros

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

Cons

  • More expensive (£483 vs £299)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

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 Pittyvaich?

Pittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyToasted

Only Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokeyMalt Extract

Only Pittyvaich 1990 / 35 Year Old / Whiskyland Chapter 30 Speyside Whisky

Old WoodVanilla

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