Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225) vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryShinshuFamous Grouse
RegionOther Scotch
CountryJapanScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV63%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£225£150
Rating5.00/5

Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness53/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)

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 £225.

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

Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)

Pros

  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (63%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£225 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 £225)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Mars?

Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225) 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

VanillaMalt ExtractToasted

Only Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)

New WoodFresh Fruit

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneySherried

Explore more