Kakuzo Cherry Bitter vs Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

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

Kakuzo Cherry BitterMary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old
DistilleryKakuzoMary Queen of Scots
Region
CountryUnited KingdomScotland
TypeBlended Malt
ABV40%40%
AgeNAS12 yr
Price£26.25£36.5
Rating5.00/5

Kakuzo Cherry Bitter

Smoke72/100
Sweetness40/100
Beginner55/100
Value0/100

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness59/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Kakuzo Cherry Bitter

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 0.00).

Kakuzo Cherry Bitter is better value at £26 vs £37.

For beginners: Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

Kakuzo Cherry Bitter

Pros

  • +Intense, complex peat smoke character
  • +More affordable (£26.25 vs £36.5)
  • +Vibrant, fresh fruit character

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 5.0)

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

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

  • More expensive (£36.5 vs £26.25)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Who should buy Kakuzo?

Kakuzo Cherry Bitter is for peat enthusiasts and experienced whisky lovers who appreciate bold, smoky, medicinal character. If you enjoy Ardbeg or Laphroaig, this is your dram. Not recommended for beginners.

Who should buy Mary?

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Blended Malt character.

Tasting notes

Both taste of

Fresh Fruit

Only Kakuzo Cherry Bitter

CitricMedicinalSolvent

Only Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Malt ExtractHoneyToastedVanilla

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