Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150

Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Karuizawa
£250
| Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Famous Grouse | Karuizawa |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 60% |
| Age | 12 yr | 19 yr |
| Price | £150 | £249.95 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
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 £250.
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 £249.95)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live
Pros
- +Longer maturation (19 vs 12 years)
- +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
Cons
- −High ABV (60%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£249.95 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 Karuizawa?
Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Only Karuizawa 19 Year Old - 10th Anniversary Whisky Live