Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati)
Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

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

North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati)
North British
£170
| Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 | North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distillery | Famous Grouse | North British |
| Region | Other Scotch | Lowland |
| Country | Scotland | Scotland |
| Type | Blended | Grain |
| ABV | 40% | 44.4% |
| Age | 12 yr | NAS |
| Price | £150 | £170.39 |
| Rating | 5.00/5 | — |
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati)
Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati)
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 £170.
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 £170.39)
Cons
- −Niche style — may not suit all palates
North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati)
Pros
- +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts
Cons
- −More expensive (£170.39 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 North?
North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati) suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Lowland character.
Tasting notes
Both taste of
Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989
Only North British 1988 (bottled 2019) (cask 216435) - The Alba Series (Whisky Illuminati)