Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)
DistilleryFamous GrouseCaol Ila
RegionOther ScotchIslay
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%54.2%
Age12 yr28 yr
Price£150£118.49
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)

Smoke67/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner30/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor) is better value at £118 vs £150.

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

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)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£150 vs £118.49)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£118.49 vs £150)
  • +Longer maturation (28 vs 12 years)
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (54.2%) — may need water
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

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.

Who should buy Caol?

Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor) 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.

Tasting notes

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractToastedSherried

Only Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)

SmokeyOld WoodLeatheryMedicinalKippery

Where to buy

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Caol Ila 28 Year Old 1983 - Dimensions (Duncan Taylor)

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