Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 vs The Cardrona Otago Pinot Cask - Cardrona Day Special Release

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

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989The Cardrona Otago Pinot Cask - Cardrona Day Special Release
DistilleryFamous GrouseCardrona Distillery
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandNew Zealand
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%52%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£150£177
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

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

The Cardrona Otago Pinot Cask - Cardrona Day Special Release

Smoke0/100
Sweetness42/100
Beginner45/100
Value28/100

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

The Cardrona Otago Pinot Cask - Cardrona Day Special Release

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989 is better value at £150 vs £177.

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
  • +More affordable (£150 vs £177)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Niche style — may not suit all palates

The Cardrona Otago Pinot Cask - Cardrona Day Special Release

Pros

  • +Distinctive flavour profile appreciated by enthusiasts

Cons

  • High ABV (52%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£177 vs £150)

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 The?

The Cardrona Otago Pinot Cask - Cardrona Day Special Release 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

Malt ExtractToasted

Only Famous Grouse 12 Year Old - Vintage 1989

HoneyVanillaSherried

Only The Cardrona Otago Pinot Cask - Cardrona Day Special Release

Cooked FruitDried FruitNutty

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