Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus vs The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection

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

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint MagnusThe Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection
DistilleryHighland ParkThe Glenlivet
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV55%43%
Age12 yr21 yr
Price£299£229.5
Rating5.00/5

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

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

The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection

Smoke0/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection is better value at £230 vs £299.

For beginners: The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection is more approachable (70/100 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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • High ABV (55%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £229.5)

The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£229.5 vs £299)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 The?

The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Toasted

Only Highland Park 12 Year Old - Saint Magnus

SmokeyHoneyMalt Extract

Only The Glenlivet 21 Year Old - The Sample Room Collection

SherriedVanillaDried FruitOld WoodChocolate

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