Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark vs Tomintoul 33 Year Old

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

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The DarkTomintoul 33 Year Old
DistilleryHighland ParkTomintoul
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV52.9%43%
Age17 yr33 yr
Price£299£249.95
Rating4.89/55.00/5

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

Smoke64/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value16/100

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness56/100
Beginner70/100
Value20/100

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Tomintoul 33 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.89).

Tomintoul 33 Year Old is better value at £250 vs £299.

For beginners: Tomintoul 33 Year Old is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (52.9%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£299 vs £249.95)
  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)

Tomintoul 33 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£249.95 vs £299)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark 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 Tomintoul?

Tomintoul 33 Year Old 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

SherriedOld WoodDried Fruit

Only Highland Park 17 Year Old - The Dark

SmokeyChocolate

Only Tomintoul 33 Year Old

HoneyNutty

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