Famous Grouse Highland Decanter vs Paul John 6 Year Old 2009 (cask 809) - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

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

Famous Grouse Highland DecanterPaul John 6 Year Old 2009 (cask 809) - Single Cask (Master of Malt)
DistilleryFamous GrousePaul John
RegionOther Scotch
CountryScotlandIndia
TypeBlendedSingle Malt
ABV40%57.2%
AgeNAS6 yr
Price£99.99£147.95
Rating5.00/55.00/5

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner75/100
Value50/100

Paul John 6 Year Old 2009 (cask 809) - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Smoke68/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner25/100
Value34/100

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Paul John 6 Year Old 2009 (cask 809) - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is better value at £100 vs £148.

For beginners: Famous Grouse Highland Decanter is more approachable (75/100 beginner score).

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +More affordable (£99.99 vs £147.95)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Paul John 6 Year Old 2009 (cask 809) - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • High ABV (57.2%) — may need water
  • More expensive (£147.95 vs £99.99)

Who should buy Famous?

Famous Grouse Highland Decanter 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.

Who should buy Paul?

Paul John 6 Year Old 2009 (cask 809) - Single Cask (Master of Malt) 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

Only Famous Grouse Highland Decanter

Malt ExtractVanillaHoneyToasted

Only Paul John 6 Year Old 2009 (cask 809) - Single Cask (Master of Malt)

SmokeyFresh FruitOilyMedicinal

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