Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015 vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryGlen ScotiaFamous Grouse
RegionCampbeltownOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV46%40%
Age12 yr12 yr
Price£150£150
Rating4.50/55.00/5

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner45/100
Value30/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is better value at £150 vs £150.

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

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.5 vs 5.0)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

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)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Glen?

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Campbeltown character.

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

Only Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

SmokeyMedicinalLeatheryOld Wood

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractToastedSherried

Where to buy

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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