Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)
DistilleryFamous GrouseHighland Park
RegionOther ScotchIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%47.1%
Age12 yr21 yr
Price£150£147.5
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness52/100
Beginner45/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) is better value at £148 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 £147.5)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£147.5 vs £150)
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • 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 Highland?

Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Island character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyMalt Extract

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

VanillaToastedSherried

Only Highland Park 21 Year Old 2003 (cask 925) - Fragrant Drops (Keeble Cask Company)

SmokeyFragant

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