Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask Matured vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask MaturedFamous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryTobermoryFamous Grouse
RegionIslandOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV53.8%40%
Age13 yr12 yr
Price£114.95£150
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask Matured

Smoke68/100
Sweetness60/100
Beginner35/100
Value43/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask Matured

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask Matured is better value at £115 vs £150.

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

Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask Matured

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£114.95 vs £150)
  • +Longer maturation (13 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • High ABV (53.8%) — may need water

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£150 vs £114.95)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Ledaig?

Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask Matured 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

Sherried

Only Ledaig 13 Year Old 2009 Double Cask Matured

SmokeyMedicinalOily

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractToasted

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