Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015
DistilleryFamous GrouseGlen Scotia
RegionOther ScotchCampbeltown
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%46%
Age12 yr12 yr
Price£150£150
Rating5.00/54.50/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

Smoke68/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner45/100
Value30/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.50).

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015 is better value at £150 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)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • Lower community rating (4.5 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 Glen?

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015 suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Campbeltown character.

Tasting notes

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractToastedSherried

Only Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

SmokeyMedicinalLeatheryOld Wood

Where to buy

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Glen Scotia 12 Year Old - Pre 2015

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