Penderyn Rich Oak vs Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

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

Penderyn Rich OakMary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old
DistilleryPenderynMary Queen of Scots
Region
CountryWalesScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£41.95£36.5
Rating5.00/5

Penderyn Rich Oak

Smoke0/100
Sweetness72/100
Beginner80/100
Value0/100

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Penderyn Rich Oak

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is better value at £37 vs £42.

For beginners: Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Penderyn Rich Oak

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£41.95 vs £36.5)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£36.5 vs £41.95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Penderyn?

Penderyn Rich 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.

Who should buy Mary?

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

VanillaFresh FruitHoney

Only Penderyn Rich Oak

New Wood

Only Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Malt ExtractToasted

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