Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) vs Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Highland Park
£1762

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Old Rip Van Winkle
★ 4.50
£1500
| Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) | Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Highland Park | Old Rip Van Winkle |
| Region | Island | — |
| Country | Scotland | America |
| Type | Single Malt | Bourbon |
| ABV | 41% | 53.5% |
| Age | 45 yr | 10 yr |
| Price | £1762.37 | £1500 |
| Rating | — | 4.50/5 |
Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Quick verdict
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is rated higher (4.50 vs 0.00).
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling is better value at £1500 vs £1762.
For beginners: Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).
Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Longer maturation (45 vs 10 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£1762.37 vs £1500)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 4.5)
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling
Pros
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (4.5/5)
- +More affordable (£1500 vs £1762.37)
- +More widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −High ABV (53.5%) — may need water
Who should buy Highland?
Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor) 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.
Who should buy Old?
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling 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
Only Highland Park 45 Year Old 1968 (cask 5643) - Tantalus (Duncan Taylor)
Only Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old - 107 Proof - 2011 Bottling