Famous Grouse Smoky Black

- Blended Scotch Whisky - 40% ABV - Contains caramel coloring and is chill-filtered - Made using Glenturret's smoked single malt as a base Nose: Smoky, sweet, figs (reminiscent of ex-Sherry aging), malt, caramel, honey, citrus freshness (perhaps lime), green apples, woody, peppery, and a bit of alcohol. Palate: Sweetness (less than the aroma suggests), good bitterness, peppery, woody, smoky, red fruits, citrus, and a touch of alcohol warmth. Simple but flavorful and pleasant. Finish: Medium length, and it becomes more viscous, carrying the flavors of this whisky. The alcohol warmth fades quickly, but the smoky (like ham) and woody notes linger for a few minutes. A pleasant finish. Overall Impressions: Let it breathe for a few minutes (I recommend covering the glass), and you'll have a very different whisky than when tasting it without resting. Very pleasant, smooth, with a great (mild) smokiness and alcohol that isn't off-putting, even though it's noticeable. Fruity and smoky notes are well-balanced, and the price is very accessible. A good blended whisky that certainly delivers on its promises. I recommend it neat or with a few drops of water, but not with ice, as that would mask all the nuances of this whisky.

Blended Scotch Whisky. 40% ABV. Non-Age Statement Whisky. Base Whisky: Glenturret Peated. Non-chill filtered. Contains caramel color. Nose: vanilla, caramel, light smoke, toasted wood, re-charred barrel, sweetness, grain whisky. Very subtly, on an underlying layer, a hint of medicinal notes and burnt rubber. Little alcohol perception. Palate: smooth, sweet, vanilla, caramel, spicy, simple fruit, mild bitterness, smoky and very straightforward. Little alcohol on the palate. Finish: short. Sweetness and barrel toastiness are the most noticeable aspects. General Impressions: a young, simple whisky, very easy to drink but with poor value for money. It's not an expensive whisky, but the quality doesn't match the price. The Glenturret single malt is overpowered by the grain whisky, which in my opinion detracts from the quality of this whisky.

Nose: Honey, dark red fruit, and smoke. Hints of tea, spice, and bread as well. Nothing stands out too much, either positively or negatively. I detect a fairly strong ethanol aroma when smelling it that isn't noticeable when casually sipping. I suppose you shouldn't scrutinize this one too closely. Palate: It alternates between rich honey and a hot, watery, spicy tea flavor. There's some caramel and vanilla, naturally. It mellows into a vanilla sugar cookie flavor. The finish has a light spiciness that coats the tongue, like an unusually hot cinnamon (though it's still not very hot). It doesn't last long. I don't get any smoke on the palate. This is somewhat strange for a smoky line extension. Verdict: It's alright. I don't have strong opinions about it, good or bad. That's likely the intention.

The aroma presents butterscotch and salty brine. The peat is more like tobacco ash; it's smoky but not harsh. It has a creamy, buttery coffee flavor. A hint of sulfur or broccoli briefly appears before returning to its butterscotch notes. The initial taste is like milk creamer, slightly buttery, but it transforms into vanilla cream. There's a spicy cinnamon flavor in the middle of the palate. A more earthy peat character emerges with a peppery bite. A distinct savory note of plum, prune, or stone fruit appears. The finish begins with a metallic/astringent sensation. The creamy flavor persists throughout, with a touch of citrus spice. The raisin/plum flavor (likely from the barrels) provides a satisfying conclusion.

I got it on sale and had reasonable thoughts about its quality level. I usually like the standard Famous Grouse with a splash of absinthe, but this didn't impress me. The "peated" (smoky) character isn't for me, even though I've liked peaty scotches before (Ardbeg, Laphroaig). Maybe the salty sweetness others mention makes it taste cheaper than anticipated. I'll need to revisit this later, as this initial taste is somewhat off-putting.

The nose isn't smoky, which is unusual for me when drinking peated whisky. Instead, the nose is slightly sherried. I have to inhale quite deeply from my glass to detect anything. Suddenly! The palate is a bit salty and sweet, and this is where the smoke becomes apparent. The finish is smoky and a little peppery. It’s a fairly smooth whisky, but for a budget peated whisky, I prefer Teacher’s a bit more. I love Famous Grouse Ruby Cask — it’s delicious and I had high hopes for Smokey Black, but I'm somewhat let down.