Famous Grouse Blended Whisky 40%

In 1896 a whisky merchant in Perth needed a name for his new blend. He chose the bird out on the moor. A hundred and thirty years later it still stands on the label, and the whisky behind it has never felt any need to reinvent itself.

The expert description

Famous Grouse is a Blended Scotch Whisky matured in oak casks and bottled at 40%.

Matthew Gloag created the blend in Perth in 1896 and took the red grouse as his mark. Customers started asking for the famous grouse, and in 1905 the family took the hint and named it The Famous Grouse. The family sold up in 1970, and since July 2025 the brand has been owned by William Grant & Sons.

The recipe rests on malt whisky from Scottish distilleries, with Highland Park historically setting much of the tone, bound together with grain whisky. The malt delivers fruit and spice, the grain delivers the softness, and the balance between them is why the bottle has been the best selling blend in Scotland for decades.

Tasting notes

Nose

Deep gold in the glass. A harmonious aroma of dried fruit and honey, with vanilla, nuts and citrus behind it.

Palate

Exceptionally soft and round with a pleasing fruitiness. Beneath it sit ripe, lightly spiced undertones that give it more to work with than expected.

Finish

Short to medium, clean and lightly sweet with malt at the close.

Specifications

Name: Famous Grouse
Distillery: The Famous Grouse
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5010314700003

Flavour profile

Soft · Fruity · Honeyed · Malty · Lightly spiced

Did you know?

Famous Grouse has held a royal warrant since 1984, but the connection reaches back further: Matthew Gloag’s business in Perth supplied wine to Queen Victoria when she visited Scotland in 1842, more than fifty years before the first Grouse was blended.

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Frequently asked questions about Famous Grouse

What does Famous Grouse taste like?

Soft, round and fruity with dried fruit, honey and vanilla on the nose and ripe, lightly spiced undertones on the palate. The finish is short and clean. It is made to go down easily, not to challenge.

Is Famous Grouse peated?

No. The standard release is unpeated and soft. For smoke in the same style there is Smoky Black, and if you want it in earnest, see our range of Islay Whisky.

Which malts are in the blend?

The full recipe is not published, but Highland Park is historically among the distilleries that have given Famous Grouse its character. The rest is grain whisky, which makes the blend soft and coherent.

What can you use it for in a cocktail?

It is soft enough to carry a drink without fighting the other ingredients. A Whisky Sour, a Rob Roy and a simple highball with soda and lemon all work well.

Why is it called The Famous Grouse?

Because customers called it that. Matthew Gloag chose the grouse as his mark in 1896, people began asking for the famous grouse, and in 1905 the family made the nickname official.

Is it a good place to start with Scotch whisky?

Yes. It is mild, approachable and free of sharp edges, and it gives a fair picture of what a classic Scottish blend is. From there you can move towards our Blended Scotch Whisky range and beyond.

Should it have ice?

That is up to you. Ice tames the sweetness and makes it more refreshing, while neat it gives more fruit and honey. At 40% it takes either without losing character.