Highland Park 40 Year Old vs The Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak

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

Highland Park 40 Year OldThe Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak
DistilleryHighland ParkThe Macallan
RegionIslandSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltSingle Malt
ABV48.3%43%
Age40 yr18 yr
Price£2995£2250
Rating4.88/5

Highland Park 40 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner55/100
Value2/100

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak

Smoke0/100
Sweetness71/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Highland Park 40 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Highland Park 40 Year Old is rated higher (4.88 vs 0.00).

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak is better value at £2250 vs £2995.

For beginners: The Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Highland Park 40 Year Old

Pros

  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (4.9/5)
  • +Longer maturation (40 vs 18 years)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£2995 vs £2250)

The Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£2250 vs £2995)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.9)

Who should buy Highland?

Highland Park 40 Year Old 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 Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Old WoodSherriedDried Fruit

Only Highland Park 40 Year Old

Tobacco

Only The Macallan 18 Year Old 1987 Sherry Oak

HoneyVanilla

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