Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 vs Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited)

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

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited)
DistilleryHighland ParkImperial
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV48.1%51.3%
Age30 yr33 yr
Price£999£729
Rating5.00/5

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner45/100
Value5/100

Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness37/100
Beginner40/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited) is better value at £729 vs £999.

For beginners: Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 is more approachable (45/100 beginner score).

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£999 vs £729)

Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£729 vs £999)
  • +Longer maturation (33 vs 30 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (51.3%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 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 Imperial?

Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited) 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

ToastedOld Wood

Only Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

SmokeyHoneyDried Fruit

Only Imperial 33 Year Old 1989 (cask 2069) (Limited)

LeatheryNuttyMalt Extract

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