1.The Famous Grouse Whisky
The Famous Grouse is a whisky renowned in Scotland, known for being the top-selling whisky in the region. The term “Grouse” refers to a type of bird, specifically the Red Grouse, which is considered the national bird of Scotland. It has been nicknamed “the poor man’s Macallan” due to its blend of malt whisky and grain whisky, making it an affordable blended whisky option.
This whisky is appreciated for its affordability, making it an excellent choice for daily consumption without financial strain. It is produced under the Edrington Group, which also owns Macallan, by Matthew Gloag & Son. There’s a common belief (though not confirmed) that The Famous Grouse’s key malt includes Macallan, contributing to its nickname.
A notable anecdote associated with this whisky involves Grace Jones, a British woman who, in 2018, became the oldest living person in the UK at the age of 112. She attributed her longevity to having a glass of The Famous Grouse every day, suggesting a whimsical link between the whisky and her impressive lifespan.
2. The Famous Grouse
1) The Famous Grouse Stroy
Famous Grouse was first launched in 1896 by Matthew Gloag, and it was originally named simply “Grouse,” referring to a type of bird that is commonly hunted in Scotland, as mentioned. The brand utilized aggressive marketing strategies, including hosting hunting competitions during the grouse hunting season, which led to significant sales surpassing those of other spirits sold by Matthew Gloag in a year.
The turning point for the brand came when it started supplying whisky to the royal residence of Queen Victoria, which significantly boosted its popularity among the nobility. This led to the addition of “Famous” to its name, becoming Famous Grouse. Today, the brand is manufactured by Matthew Gloag & Sons Ltd, under the ownership of the Edrington Group.
Famous Grouse is a whisky brand that holds a Royal Warrant, indicating its supply to the British royal family. Besides its classic blend, the brand offers a range of products, including The Famous Grouse Smoky Black, and The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask Finish.
2) Tasting Notes
Before examining the aroma and flavor, the color of The Famous Grouse is noted to be light, and visually, it does not appear to have a significant texture.
Upon smelling, the whisky does not strike with an overpowering alcohol scent as might be expected. Instead, it presents a bouquet of grassy and sweet aromas. This sweetness is likely attributed to notes of sherry, fruit, and citrus.
The taste initially brings a slight spiciness and a sweet, nutty flavor. There’s also a noticeable richness from barley. The whisky is described as smooth and clean on the palate, although the finish does not linger extensively.
3) HighBall
The finish of Famous Grouse may not be long, which could be attributed to its affordability, yet it still offers a taste of luxury. It’s an unassuming whisky that’s easy to enjoy without any pretense.
Famous Grouse can also be enjoyed as a highball, which is not a bad option at all. In fact, the official website of The Famous Grouse recommends drinking it with ginger ale and a slice of lime.
However, my personal preference leans towards using soda water for a highball over ginger or tonic water. If one desires to enhance the sweetness, adding tonic or ginger ale can be a good choice. I found that the nutty sweetness becomes overly pronounced when mixed with ginger or tonic. Therefore, I prefer it with soda water, finding this combination more balanced.
4) Product Information
Product Name: The Famous Grouse
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type of Food: Whisky
Alcohol Content and Volume: 40%, 700ml
Ingredients: 100% Whisky
Manufacturer: EDRINGTON DISTILLERS LIMITED
3. Overall Review
In summary, among affordable whiskies, The Famous Grouse stands out as an easy drinker, both neat and as a highball.
Considering its price, it’s hard to find a whisky better suited for daily consumption than The Famous Grouse. Its status as the top-selling whisky in Scotland, the homeland of whisky, now makes perfect sense.
This whisky’s accessibility in price and its smooth taste make it an excellent choice for those new to whisky as well.