Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164 vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164
Blanton's
£150
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150
| Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164 | Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Blanton's | Famous Grouse |
| Region | — | Other Scotch |
| Country | America | Scotland |
| Type | Bourbon | Blended |
| ABV | 65.2% | 40% |
| Age | NAS | 12 yr |
| Price | £149.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Quick verdict
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164 is better value at £150 vs £150.
For beginners: Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164
Pros
- +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
- +More affordable (£149.95 vs £150)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (65.2%) — may need water
- −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 widely reviewed by the community
Cons
- −More expensive (£150 vs £149.95)
Who should buy Blanton's?
Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164 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
Only Blanton's Straight From The Barrel - Barrel 164
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989