Famous Grouse Highland Decanter vs Mortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

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

Famous Grouse Highland DecanterMortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
DistilleryFamous GrouseMortlach
RegionOther ScotchSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%48.4%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£99.99£72.3
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Mortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) is better value at £72 vs £100.

For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£99.99 vs £72.3)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Mortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£72.3 vs £99.99)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Famous?

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter 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 Mortlach?

Mortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Malt ExtractToasted

Only Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

VanillaHoney

Only Mortlach 12 Year Old 2009 (cask 15641) - Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

SmokeyLeatheryTobacco

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