A new name and packaging for the excellent 'Black Grouse' blend sees it become Famous Grouse Smoky Black. Although not mentioned by name anymore, the bottle still features a Tetrao tetrix, otherwise known as a blackcock.
Medium, quite smoky. Solid peat note, rummy sweetness, touch of dry wood.
Medium, balanced. Peat smoke, caramel, spice.
Long, slightly peaty.
Was: £22.75Now: £22.50
Don't dismiss this because it is an inexpensive blend. Not overpowering peat like Ardbeg or Laphroiag. It's a nicely smoky whisky that sips easily.
I bought this because I thought it might be okay in cocktails which require a smoky type whisky. I was wrong, this is awful, a cheap whisky which has been infused with some sort of smoke flavouring….yuk!
Got a 1L bottle on the Ferry for £15 with the intention of using it as with ginger ale. Tried a shot, and considering the price it is excellent. It obviously doesn't hold a candle to Bunnahabhain, but it also worked out at less than a third of the price. A good whisky for mixing, that isn't terrible as a dram, for £15... no trainers.
I was given this as a birthday present and it’s a bloody decent dram.
This scotch definitely excels for it's price point, but I'm personally not a fan, there's an overly powerful sweetness to it that doesn't appeal to me. Talisker has the same sweet flavor, but balances it much better. I keep trying to find a budget Islay style Scotch and can't find one better than Shieldaig.
