Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Famous Grouse
★ 5.00
£150
Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)
Shinshu
£225
| Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Famous Grouse | Shinshu |
| Region | Other Scotch | — |
| Country | Scotland | Japan |
| Type | Blended | Single Malt |
| ABV | 40% | 63% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £150 | £225 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)
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 £225.
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 £225)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)
Pros
- +Rich oak and wood spice complexity
Cons
- −High ABV (63%) — may need water
- −More expensive (£225 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 Mars?
Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225) 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 Mars Komagatake 2015 (bottled 2021) (cask 3225)