Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Ledaig 22 Year Old 1999 Pedro Ximénez Cask

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Ledaig 22 Year Old 1999 Pedro Ximénez Cask
DistilleryFamous GrouseTobermory
RegionOther ScotchIsland
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%55.6%
Age12 yr22 yr
Price£150£250
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Ledaig 22 Year Old 1999 Pedro Ximénez Cask

Smoke64/100
Sweetness55/100
Beginner25/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Ledaig 22 Year Old 1999 Pedro Ximénez Cask

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 £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 £250)

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Ledaig 22 Year Old 1999 Pedro Ximénez Cask

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Longer maturation (22 vs 12 years)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (55.6%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£250 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 22 Year Old 1999 Pedro Ximénez Cask 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

Sherried

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaMalt ExtractToasted

Only Ledaig 22 Year Old 1999 Pedro Ximénez Cask

SmokeyDried FruitOld Wood

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