North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - Stillwater vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - StillwaterFamous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryNorth of ScotlandFamous Grouse
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeGrainBlended
ABV41.1%40%
Age47 yr12 yr
Price£179.95£150
Rating5.00/55.00/5

North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - Stillwater

Smoke0/100
Sweetness88/100
Beginner85/100
Value28/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - Stillwater

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is better value at £150 vs £180.

For beginners: North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - Stillwater is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - Stillwater

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (47 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • More expensive (£179.95 vs £150)

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £179.95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy North?

North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - Stillwater 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.

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

VanillaHoney

Only North of Scotland 47 Year Old 1972 - Stillwater

Old WoodOily

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Malt ExtractToastedSherried

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