Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old vs Strathcolm Extra Special (Alistair Forfar)

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

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year OldStrathcolm Extra Special (Alistair Forfar)
DistilleryMary Queen of ScotsAlistair Forfar
Region
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeBlended MaltGrain
ABV40%40%
Age12 yrNAS
Price£36.5£28.24
Rating5.00/53.00/5

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

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

Strathcolm Extra Special (Alistair Forfar)

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner85/100
Value100/100

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Strathcolm Extra Special (Alistair Forfar)

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old is rated higher (5.00 vs 3.00).

Strathcolm Extra Special (Alistair Forfar) is better value at £28 vs £37.

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

Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£36.5 vs £28.24)

Strathcolm Extra Special (Alistair Forfar)

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£28.24 vs £36.5)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (3.0 vs 5.0)

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.

Who should buy Strathcolm?

Strathcolm Extra Special (Alistair Forfar) 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

Malt ExtractHoneyToastedVanilla

Only Mary Queen Of Scots 12 Year Old

Fresh Fruit

Explore more