Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Highland Park
£319
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Talisker
★ 5.00
£299
| Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Talisker |
| Region | Island | Island |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Single Malt |
| ABV | 55.3% | 59.4% |
| Age | 21 yr | 8 yr |
| Price | £319.06 | £299 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)
Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
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 £319.
For beginners: Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (25/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 8 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (55.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£319.06 vs £299)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
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 affordable (£299 vs £319.06)
Cons
- −High ABV (59.4%) — may need water
- −Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) 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 Highland Park 21 Year Old 1999 (cask 5029274) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Talisker 8 Year Old (Special Release 2018)