Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972 vs Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
DistilleryExcaliburFamous Grouse
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedBlended
ABV42.2%40%
Age45 yr12 yr
Price£240.46£150
Rating5.00/5

Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972

Smoke0/100
Sweetness68/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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 £240.

For beginners: Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972 is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Longer maturation (45 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • More expensive (£240.46 vs £150)
  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

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 £240.46)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Who should buy Excalibur?

Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972 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.

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

Honey

Only Excalibur 45 Year Old 1972

Old WoodTobaccoDried Fruit

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

VanillaMalt ExtractToastedSherried

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