Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky
DistilleryFamous GrouseLagavulin
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandUnited Kingdom
TypeBlended
ABV40%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£150£146
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky

Smoke66/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner60/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky is better value at £146 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 £146)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +More affordable (£146 vs £150)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

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 Lagavulin?

Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for character.

Tasting notes

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractToastedSherried

Only Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky

SmokeyCitricFresh FruitCoal-gasMedicinal

Where to buy

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

Lagavulin 12 Year Old / Tequila Finish / Special Releases 2023 Islay Whisky

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