Famous Grouse Miniature Smoky Black Blended Scotch Whisky 5 cl 40%

The black label signals what has happened here: somebody has laid peat smoke underneath the soft Grouse profile. The result is not an Islay whisky, but it is not the same bird as before either.

The expert description

Famous Grouse Smoky Black is a Blended Scotch Whisky made with peated malt, bottled at 40% in a 5 cl bottle.

The release was originally called The Black Grouse and was later renamed Smoky Black. The recipe takes the classic blend and raises the proportion of peated malt whisky, so the smoke becomes a load bearing element rather than a seasoning. The underlying honey and fruit are still there, but they now sit behind a sooty foreground.

The miniature is a sensible way to settle whether the style is for you. Smoky blends divide opinion, and 5 cl is enough to answer the question without committing to a full bottle.

Tasting notes

Nose

Dry smoke and bonfire ash first, then honey and dried fruit working their way up through it.

Palate

Soft and sweet at the base with the smoke as a clear frame. Malt, vanilla and a touch of dark chocolate as the peat builds.

Finish

Medium and sooty with a dry, almost peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Distillery: The Famous Grouse
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 5 CL
Cask type: Oak casks
Edition: Smoky Black
EAN no.: 5010314302481

Flavour profile

Smoky · Soft · Sweet · Malty · Peaty

Did you know?

The change of name from The Black Grouse to Smoky Black was not incidental. The black grouse is a threatened species in Scotland, and for years the brand supported conservation work with a share of the proceeds, but a name describing the flavour sells better on a shelf than one describing a bird.

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Frequently asked questions about Famous Grouse Smoky Black

How smoky is Smoky Black?

Moderate. The smoke is clear and present throughout, but it is dry and bonfire-like rather than tarry and medicinal. Set against an Islay whisky it is mild.

How does it differ from standard Famous Grouse?

The proportion of peated malt whisky. The underlying blend of honey and fruit is the same, but the smoke is turned up here so it becomes the first thing you meet rather than a detail in the background.

Was it not previously called Black Grouse?

It was. The release launched as The Black Grouse and was later renamed Smoky Black. The whisky in the bottle is the same style.

Is it a good first taste of smoky whisky?

Yes. It is mild enough not to frighten anyone, and the miniature makes it easy to find out whether the style suits you. If the answer is yes, far heavier things await in our Islay Whisky.

Where does the smoke come from?

From peat burned while drying the barley. The smoke settles into the grain and travels with it all the way through production, so it is tasted in the finished whisky without anything having been added.

Does it work in cocktails?

Yes, particularly where the smoke is allowed a role. A Penicillin or a smoky highball with ginger ale suits it, while it turns intrusive in the clean, delicate drinks.

How much is in the miniature?

5 cl, a generous single measure. Enough to judge aroma, palate and finish properly.