The Glenrothes 12 Year Old vs William Lawson's 13 Year Old

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

The Glenrothes 12 Year OldWilliam Lawson's 13 Year Old
DistilleryGlenrothesWilliam Lawson
Region
CountryScotlandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended
ABV40%40%
Age12 yr13 yr
Price£5.3£4.03
Rating3.78/5

The Glenrothes 12 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness37/100
Beginner80/100
Value100/100

William Lawson's 13 Year Old

Smoke0/100
Sweetness64/100
Beginner85/100
Value0/100

The Glenrothes 12 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

William Lawson's 13 Year Old

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

The Glenrothes 12 Year Old is rated higher (3.78 vs 0.00).

William Lawson's 13 Year Old is better value at £4 vs £5.

For beginners: William Lawson's 13 Year Old is more approachable (85/100 beginner score).

The Glenrothes 12 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (3.8/5)
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£5.3 vs £4.03)

William Lawson's 13 Year Old

Pros

  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More affordable (£4.03 vs £5.3)
  • +Longer maturation (13 vs 12 years)

Cons

  • Lower community rating (0.0 vs 3.8)

Who should buy The?

The Glenrothes 12 Year Old suits whisky enthusiasts looking for a well-rounded, complex dram. It rewards those with some experience and an appreciation for Single Malt character.

Who should buy William?

William Lawson's 13 Year Old 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

ToastedMalt Extract

Only The Glenrothes 12 Year Old

Old WoodNutty

Only William Lawson's 13 Year Old

VanillaHoney

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