BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryBenriachFamous Grouse
RegionSpeysideOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV50.1%40%
Age29 yr12 yr
Price£139.7£150
Rating5.00/5

BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness49/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)

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).

BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) is better value at £140 vs £150.

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

BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)

Pros

  • +More affordable (£139.7 vs £150)
  • +Longer maturation (29 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (50.1%) — may need water
  • 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 widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£150 vs £139.7)

Who should buy BenRiach?

BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead) 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

HoneyToastedMalt Extract

Only BenRiach 29 Year Old 1986 - Small Batch (WM Cadenhead)

Old WoodNutty

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

VanillaSherried

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