Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky
DistilleryFamous GrouseSuntory
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandJapan
TypeBlendedBlended
ABV40%43%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£150£150
Rating5.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky

Smoke0/100
Sweetness75/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

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

Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky is better value at £150 vs £150.

For beginners: Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky is more approachable (85/100 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

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers

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 Suntory?

Suntory Royal Japanese Whisky is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

HoneyVanillaMalt Extract

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

ToastedSherried

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