Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Mortlach
£176
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150
| Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) | Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Mortlach | Famous Grouse |
| Region | Speyside | Other Scotch |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 50.4% | 40% |
| Age | 21 yr | 12 yr |
| Price | £175.95 | £150 |
| Rating | — | 5.00/5 |
Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
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 £176.
For beginners: Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is more approachable (70/100 beginner score).
Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Pros
- +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
- +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (50.4%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£175.95 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 £175.95)
Cons
- −Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative
Who should buy Mortlach?
Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) 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 Mortlach 21 Year Old 1994 (cask 2) - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989