Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Mortlach
£229

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150
| Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) | Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Famous Grouse |
| Region | Speyside | Other Scotch |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 48.4% | 40% |
| Age | 20 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £229 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
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 £229.
For beginners: Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Pros
- +Longer maturation (20 vs 12 years)
Cons
- −More expensive (£229 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 £229)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Speyside character.
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 Mortlach 20 Year Old 1997 (cask 7911318) - The Octave (Duncan Taylor)
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989