The Black Grouse

Nose: Sweet, light peat, fresh fruits, and what is this... sherry? Pretty good.

Palate: Sweet and creamy, but then grainy, harsh around the sides slightly and a hint of smoke and ashy peat. That's about it. Simple and "ok"? There must be more to this...

Finish: Fairly short, Some lingering char and spice. Hmm...

Conclusion - A simple yet decent blend... or is it? After the initial glass, I poured a second, this time with a splash of water (as always). We get something very different with this approach.

The overall quality explodes into something much more pleasant to my taste. Much smoother, almost perfect for a blend. No more burn on the nose/palate from the grainy notes (they are eliminated). We get a lovely mix of sweetness, fresh fruits, subtle peat, a good dose of sherry, some peppery spice and a finish with char, gentle smoke and pepper. It lingers, for a while. Even though this whisky is bottled at 40%, water balances it out so well it gets into a much longer finish that stays for quite some time, and most importantly, very enjoyable.

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