Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Ledaig 21 Year Old 2001 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Ledaig 21 Year Old 2001 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)
DistilleryFamous GrouseTobermory
RegionOther ScotchIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%57.4%
Age12 yr21 yr
Price£150£172.21
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Ledaig 21 Year Old 2001 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

Smoke64/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ledaig 21 Year Old 2001 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

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 £172.

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 £172.21)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Ledaig 21 Year Old 2001 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (21 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character
  • +Rich oak and wood spice complexity

Cons

  • High ABV (57.4%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£172.21 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 Ledaig?

Ledaig 21 Year Old 2001 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid) 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

Toasted

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractSherried

Only Ledaig 21 Year Old 2001 - Mission Gold (Murray McDavid)

SmokeyLeatheryOld WoodDried Fruit

Explore more