Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013 vs Midleton Very Rare 1997

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

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013Midleton Very Rare 1997
DistilleryHighland ParkMidleton
RegionIsland
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV48.1%40%
Age30 yrNAS
Price£999£999
Rating5.00/5

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

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

Midleton Very Rare 1997

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner70/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Midleton Very Rare 1997

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Midleton Very Rare 1997 is better value at £999 vs £999.

For beginners: Midleton Very Rare 1997 is more approachable (70/100 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

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Midleton Very Rare 1997

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • 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 Midleton?

Midleton Very Rare 1997 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

HoneyToasted

Only Highland Park 30 Year Old - Pre 2013

SmokeyDried FruitOld Wood

Only Midleton Very Rare 1997

VanillaMalt ExtractNew Wood

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