Famous Grouse Smoky Black vs Bushmills Millennium Malt

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

Famous Grouse Smoky BlackBushmills Millennium Malt
DistilleryFamous GrouseBushmills
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandIreland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%43%
AgeNAS25 yr
Price£19.5£11.78
Rating3.44/55.00/5

Famous Grouse Smoky Black

Smoke64/100
Sweetness45/100
Beginner75/100
Value100/100

Bushmills Millennium Malt

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Famous Grouse Smoky Black

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Bushmills Millennium Malt

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Bushmills Millennium Malt is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.44).

Bushmills Millennium Malt is better value at £12 vs £20.

For beginners: Bushmills Millennium Malt is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Famous Grouse Smoky Black

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£19.5 vs £11.78)
  • Lower community rating (3.4 vs 5.0)

Bushmills Millennium Malt

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£11.78 vs £19.5)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Famous?

Famous Grouse Smoky Black suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Other Scotch character.

Who should buy Bushmills?

Bushmills Millennium Malt 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.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fresh FruitMalt Extract

Only Famous Grouse Smoky Black

Smokey

Only Bushmills Millennium Malt

VanillaOld WoodHoney

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