Famous Grouse Smoky Black Blended Scotch Whisky 100 cl 40%

A blackcock perched on a Highland crag, peat smoke drifting low across the heather. The Famous Grouse made its name on a soft, round blend, but in Smoky Black the blender has put peat on the table. Not at full force, more like the warmth of a woodfire in a room that still has space for sweetness.

Expert description

The Famous Grouse Smoky Black is a Blended Scotch Whisky made with peated malt from Islay and Highland, bottled at 40%. It belongs to the Blender's Editions series, where the house Master Blender puts together a new selection of malt and grain whisky each time.

According to the label, Smoky Black rests on a secret blend of Islay malts and rare peated malts from Highland. The producer singles out peated Glenturret, which it describes as Scotland's oldest working distillery. The grain whisky gives the blend its soft, sweet base, and the peated malts add the smoke on top without taking over. The colour is adjusted with caramel.

Smoky Black arrived in 2015 as the successor to The Black Grouse. It has not been discontinued, and it suits anyone who wants smoke in the glass without starting with a Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Whisky.

Tasting notes

Nose

Round and aromatic, with soft smoke up front. A rich, warm sweetness sits behind it.

Palate

Dried fruit and spices, aniseed and cloves in particular, with the smoke as an even base. The body is soft, and the smoke never pushes.

Finish

Long and sweet, with the smoke lingering at the end.

Specifications

Name: The Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Bottler: Matthew Gloag & Son Limited
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
ABV: 40%
Size: 100 CL
Natural colour: No
Edition: Blender's Edition
EAN no.: 5010314302511

Flavour profile

Smoky · Peated · Soft · Dried fruit · Spiced

Did you know?

The black grouse on the label is a leftover from the name change. Before 2015 the bottle was called The Black Grouse, and when it got a new name and a new design, the bird stayed.

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Frequently asked questions about The Famous Grouse Smoky Black

What does The Famous Grouse Smoky Black taste like?

It tastes soft and sweet with a light, warm smoke. Dried fruit and spices like aniseed and cloves fill most of the mouth, and the finish is long and sweet with smoke at the end. The smoke is easy to live with, so it also suits people who do not normally drink much peated whisky.

What is the difference between Smoky Black and the regular The Famous Grouse?

Smoky Black has peated malt in the blend, the regular The Famous Grouse does not. According to the label it contains both Islay malts and rare peated malts from Highland, including peated Glenturret. The result is a blend with the same soft core, but with smoke on top.

Is Smoky Black the same whisky as The Black Grouse?

In practice, yes. Smoky Black replaced The Black Grouse in 2015, and the black grouse on the label survived the name change. The idea behind the blend is the same, but Smoky Black is the current edition.

How should you drink The Famous Grouse Smoky Black?

Neat in a tulip-shaped glass, with a small splash of water if you want the smoke to open up. It also works on ice and in drinks. A good glass makes a difference, and you will find them under our whisky glasses.

Which cocktails suit Smoky Black?

A Smoky Old Fashioned and a Penicillin with a highball twist are the two the producer points to itself. The smoke and soft sweetness make it easy to work with. Read more about the drink in our post on the Penicillin cocktail.

Is Smoky Black a good first step into smoky whisky?

Yes, it is a natural place to start. The smoke is soft, and the grain whisky in the blend rounds everything off, so you avoid the medicinal edge many know from Islay Single Malt Whisky. If you want to go further afterwards, the next step is a stronger peated Single Malt Whisky.