Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky

The Reason we drink single malt

Reviewed by
Connosr member:

Mountrain

Date:

5th Apr 2012

Reviewer rating:

49

About this score:

The average score for this whisky is 70.

Tasting Notes by Mountrain

The nose smells of oak and the smell of polished wood. A sweet underbelly of vanilla exists faintly.

I was stuck in a cheap bar for this one, reduced to trying a blend. I thought I would give it a go and not be a malt snob.

The taste was very much of wood vanish with an ever so slight hint of a better sweet malt trying to fight it's way through. I found it depressing compared to those blockbuster Single Scottish Malts I'm used too. Apart from that wood not much else the medium body of the whisky was it's best feature. It doesn't burn either, best had drowned in Ginger Ale me thinks.

I would call this the cheap Mcdonalds cheese burger of scotch whisky Nothing great about it but then again it's not terrible. But why settle for this when there is so much more exciting whiskies to be had. I'd expect something a little bit better from such a large brand.

Tags

Whisky details

Distillery/Brand:

Famous Grouse

Colour:

Full Gold

Comments

CognacFan

CognacFan wrote:

I have a bottle of The Black Grouse open and I must say I was expecting for more. Like you said there is so many nice malts to be had, but again I see it more like an education. Also, sometime when i'm tired and don't have the time or energy to enjoy my dram, I rather have a not so demanding blend.

05 April 2012 23:16
Mountrain

Mountrain wrote:

In those situations I'd have a VS cognac over a grouse my friend ;-)

05 April 2012 23:27
CognacFan

CognacFan wrote:

There you just might be right. Since not so long I guess I was a little bit of a snob. Lately a came to discover some nice VSOP. A pleasure to share. Cheers.

06 April 2012 02:55
talexander

talexander wrote:

I actually quite like the Black Grouse (I haven't had the regular Famous Grouse blend) - @Mountrain, I'd be curious what you thought of that as a comparison...

12 April 2012 02:36
Mountrain

Mountrain wrote:

I'm no Speyside expert so I imagine a more pricey grouse may be of a better standard. I also should have factored into the review that the bottle was only half full and had probably been collecting dust at the bar for quite a long time.

The Glenfiddich and Glenlivet have been at a good standard so I would probably lean towards those brands. However should the chance arrive at a Whisky tasting session I'll happily give the Black Grouse or the Naked Grouse a go.

12 April 2012 17:11
CognacFan

CognacFan wrote:

@talexander Coming back to the Black Grouse, it seem to have improved. More peat and smoke have develloped, more sweetness and less bitterness. It as open up nicely. This is why I try not to judge a bottle too quickly. I share your thoughts on this one. Cheers.

21 April 2012 00:25

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