Royal Lochnagar 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 18757) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing) vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Royal Lochnagar 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 18757) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryLochnagarFamous Grouse
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV57%40%
Age21 yr12 yr
Price£164.92£150
Rating5.00/5

Royal Lochnagar 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 18757) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness65/100
Beginner50/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Smoke0/100
Sweetness63/100
Beginner70/100
Value33/100

Royal Lochnagar 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 18757) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

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 £165.

For beginners: Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).

Royal Lochnagar 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 18757) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (57%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£164.92 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 £164.92)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Royal?

Royal Lochnagar 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 18757) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

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

SherriedHoney

Only Royal Lochnagar 21 Year Old 2000 (cask 18757) - The First Editions (Hunter Laing)

Dried FruitOld Wood

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

VanillaMalt ExtractToasted

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