Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) vs Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

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

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s
DistilleryHighland ParkSuntory
Region
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV50.2%43%
Age26 yrNAS
Price£343.95£300
Rating5.00/54.88/5

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness58/100
Beginner35/100
Value15/100

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner70/100
Value16/100

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.88).

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s is better value at £300 vs £344.

For beginners: Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (50.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£343.95 vs £300)

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£300 vs £343.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.9 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company) 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 Suntory?

Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyOld Wood

Only Highland Park 26 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)

SmokeyToasted

Only Suntory Royal Special Reserve 1960s

Malt ExtractVanillaFragant

Explore more