Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) vs Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Benrinnes
★ 4.25
£165
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£100
| Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) | Famous Grouse Highland Decanter | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Benrinnes | Famous Grouse |
| Region | Speyside | Other Scotch |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Single Malt | Blended |
| ABV | 58.8% | 40% |
| Age | 23 yr | NAS |
| Price | £164.66 | £99.99 |
| Rating | 4.25/5 | 5.00/5 |
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Quick verdict
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.25).
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is better value at £100 vs £165.
For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Pros
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (58.8%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£164.66 vs £99.99)
- −Lower community rating (4.3 vs 5.0)
Famous Grouse Highland Decanter
Pros
- +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
- +Better value for money
- +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
- +More affordable (£99.99 vs £164.66)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Who should buy Benrinnes?
Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009) 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 Highland Decanter 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.
Tasting notes
Only Benrinnes 23 Year Old 1985 (Special Release 2009)
Only Famous Grouse Highland Decanter