Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Fettercairn 18 Year Old (2023 Release)

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Fettercairn 18 Year Old (2023 Release)
DistilleryFamous GrouseFettercairn
RegionOther ScotchHighland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%46.8%
Age12 yr18 yr
Price£150£154.95
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Fettercairn 18 Year Old (2023 Release)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness61/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Fettercairn 18 Year Old (2023 Release)

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 £155.

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 £154.95)

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Fettercairn 18 Year Old (2023 Release)

Pros

  • +Longer maturation (18 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • More expensive (£154.95 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 Fettercairn?

Fettercairn 18 Year Old (2023 Release) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Highland character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyVanillaToasted

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Malt ExtractSherried

Only Fettercairn 18 Year Old (2023 Release)

Fresh FruitOld Wood

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