Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) vs The XXX Blend - Batch 1
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Highland Park
★ 5.00
£228

The XXX Blend - Batch 1
The Blended Whisky Company
★ 5.00
£200
| Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) | The XXX Blend - Batch 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | The Blended Whisky Company |
| Region | Island | — |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 48.5% | 42.5% |
| Age | 28 yr | 30 yr |
| Price | £228.43 | £199.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 |
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
The XXX Blend - Batch 1
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
The XXX Blend - Batch 1
Quick verdict
The XXX Blend - Batch 1 is better value at £200 vs £228.
For beginners: The XXX Blend - Batch 1 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +More widely reviewed by the community
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −More expensive (£228.43 vs £199.95)
The XXX Blend - Batch 1
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +More affordable (£199.95 vs £228.43)
- +Longer maturation (30 vs 28 years)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.
Who should buy The?
The XXX Blend - Batch 1 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
Only Highland Park 28 Year Old 1984 (cask 9968) - Director's Cut (Douglas Laing)
Only The XXX Blend - Batch 1