Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) vs Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Highland Park
£299

Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£299
| Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) | Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Talisker |
| Region | Island | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 54.7% | 59.4% |
| Age | 20 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £299 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Quick verdict
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) is better value at £299 vs £299.
For beginners: Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) is more approachable (30/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (54.7%) — may need water
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
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 (59.4%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 20 Year Old (Distillery 4 Rare Release) - Highland Whisky Festival 2024 (The Scotch Malt Whisky Society) 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 Talisker?
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) 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.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)