Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy vs Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

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

Ararat 3 Year Old BrandyMary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old
DistilleryAraratMary Queen of Scots
Region
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeBlended Malt
ABV40%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£31.5£36.5
Rating5.00/5

Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner100/100
Value0/100

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

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

Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy

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).

Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy is better value at £32 vs £37.

For beginners: Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£31.5 vs £36.5)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • 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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£36.5 vs £31.5)

Who should buy Ararat?

Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy 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

HoneyVanilla

Only Ararat 3 Year Old Brandy

Dried Fruit

Only Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Malt ExtractFresh FruitToasted

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