Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Caol Ila
£193
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150
| Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish | Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Caol Ila | Famous Grouse |
| Region | Islay | Other Scotch |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 67.3% | 40% |
| Age | 18 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £192.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
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 £193.
For beginners: Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −High ABV (67.3%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£192.95 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 £192.95)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Darkness!?
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish 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 Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Where to buy
Darkness! Caol Ila 18 Year Old Moscatel Cask Finish
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Where to buy
The Whisky Exchange