Chichibu 12 Year Old Golden Horse vs Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

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

Chichibu 12 Year Old Golden HorseFamous Grouse Highland Decanter
DistilleryChichibuFamous Grouse
RegionOther Scotch
CountryJapanScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV56%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£130.95£99.99
Rating5.00/5

Chichibu 12 Year Old Golden Horse

Smoke0/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner35/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Chichibu 12 Year Old Golden Horse

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is better value at £100 vs £131.

For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Chichibu 12 Year Old Golden Horse

Pros

  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (56%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£130.95 vs £99.99)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 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 £130.95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Chichibu?

Chichibu 12 Year Old Golden Horse 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 Chichibu 12 Year Old Golden Horse

SherriedDried FruitTobaccoOld Wood

Only Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToasted

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