Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)
DistilleryFamous GrouseAberlour
RegionOther ScotchSpeyside
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%51.7%
Age12 yr25 yr
Price£150£186.2
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is better value at £150 vs £186.

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 affordable (£150 vs £186.2)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Longer maturation (25 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (51.7%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£186.2 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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 Aberlour?

Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing) suits those who enjoy sweet, honeyed, or fruity whiskies. It's accessible for beginners and crowd-pleasing enough for gifts. Fans of approachable Speyside or Irish whiskey will love it.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneySherried

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

VanillaMalt ExtractToasted

Only Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

ChocolateDried FruitOld Wood

Where to buy

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Aberlour 25 Year Old 1990 (cask 10953) - Xtra Old Particular (Douglas Laing)

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