Famous Grouse Smoky Black review

Famous Grouse Smoky Black, formerly known as the Black Grouse. Content is the same as with Black Grouse, it’s Famous Grouse Blended Whisky mixed with peated Glenturret malt and Islay malts. The product was renamed at the end of 2015. With the renaming became new label design, although the bottle still has a blackcock (Tetrao tetrix) in its label.

We all know what Famous Grouse brand is all about, so I’ll keep this story short and go straight to the tasting notes.

Tasting notes

Colour: Deep golden amber

ABV: 40%

Nose: Surprisingly strong with peat smoke at the start. I mean, it is sophisticated but surely not that light I was expecting it to be, which is nice. Hints of red licorice. Bit watery, with a touch of caramel and warming spices. Smoke disappears pretty fast when you let it rest in the glass, but drops of water open up the smoky aromas for a brief moment. Water brings out the licorice as well.

Taste: Licorice with peppermint candy on the side. Bit grainy but the grain whisky influence isn’t that strong, which is nice. Quite oaky, and with a spicy touch. Drops of water add lots of bitterness and peppery notes.

Finish: Very one-sided with oak, spices and little bit of peat. Some bitterness in the aftertaste.

Balance: Don’t like it as much as I liked The Black Grouse Alpha Edition, which was kinda like an premium version of The Black Grouse. But this is much better than the basic Famous Grouse blend. Quite one-sided but easy to drink and has more character than most of the blends with the same price tag. Enjoy this dram straightforward and add water towards the end to get it into a new level.