Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old vs Spearhead

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

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year OldSpearhead
DistilleryMary Queen of ScotsSpearhead
RegionHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltGrain
ABV40%43%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£36.5£32.95
Rating5.00/54.09/5

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Spearhead

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner100/100
Value100/100

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Spearhead

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.09).

Spearhead is better value at £33 vs £37.

For beginners: Spearhead is more approachable (100/100 beginner score).

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)

Cons

  • More expensive (£36.5 vs £32.95)

Spearhead

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£32.95 vs £36.5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.1 vs 5.0)

Who should buy Mary?

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Who should buy Spearhead?

Spearhead 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

Both taste of

Malt ExtractHoneyVanilla

Only Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Fresh FruitToasted

Only Spearhead

New WoodYeasty

Explore more