Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Karuizawa
£250
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150
| Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live | Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Karuizawa | Famous Grouse |
| Region | — | Other Scotch |
| Country | Japan | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 60% | 40% |
| Age | 19 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £249.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Quick verdict
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is better value at £150 vs £250.
For beginners: Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Pros
- +Longer maturation (19 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (60%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£249.95 vs £150)
- −Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£150 vs £249.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live 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.
Who should buy Famous?
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989