Whisky Review/Tasting: Famous Grouse The Black Grouse Alpha Edition

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: The whisky is a blend, indicating it originates from multiple distilleries across Scotland.
Type: It is a blended Scotch whisky, specifically a premium expression of the Black Grouse.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The specific details of distillation and maturation are not mentioned, but it includes contributions from distilleries like Glen Turret, Tamdew, Highland Park, and Macallan.
Age Statement: No age statement is provided.
Color and Clarity: The color is not explicitly described, but the whisky is noted to be colored.
Bottle Design: The bottle features imagery of the black grouse, highlighting its white feathered tail and red crown, symbolizing the alpha status among males.

Balance of Flavors: The whisky presents a light peatiness, balanced with the character of multiple distilleries. It is described as having a light smoke intensity of around 5-7 ppm.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its light peat smoke combined with a pleasant orange note and an official tasting note of roasted oranges or orange peel.
Comparison: Compared to other expressions of Famous Grouse, such as the Naked Grouse with a high sherry cask content, the Alpha Edition is distinguished by its light peatiness and blend of distillery characters.

Anecdotes/Trivia: The Alpha Edition celebrates the annual Lek, a display and competition among male black grouse for mating rights, symbolizing display, challenge, and dominance. The white feather, contrary to being a symbol of cowardice, represents victory and success in this context.

The whisky draws heavily on the natural and cultural heritage of the black grouse, particularly the mating ritual known as the Lek, to craft a narrative that ties the product to a distinctly Scottish wildlife phenomenon.

Horst Luening describes the whisky as having a "pleasant orange note" and being "quite well" balanced with its light peat smoke. He also notes the uniqueness of the roasted orange peel flavor, which he finds intriguing despite never having tasted roasted orange peels before.

The Famous Grouse The Black Grouse Alpha Edition is a premium blended Scotch whisky with light peatiness and a unique flavor profile featuring orange notes and a hint of smoke.
It celebrates the mating display of the black grouse, incorporating this theme into its bottle design and storytelling.
The blend includes contributions from notable distilleries such as Glen Turret, Tamdew, Highland Park, and Macallan.
The whisky is colored, chill-filtered, and aimed at the mass market, with a 40% ABV and a price point of around 33 euros/dollars/pounds.

For Peat Enthusiasts: While the peat level is light, those interested in exploring peated whiskies might find this a gentle introduction.
For Blended Scotch Lovers: Individuals who appreciate the complexity and variety of flavors in blended Scotch whiskies.
For Wildlife and Culture Enthusiasts: Those intrigued by Scottish wildlife and cultural narratives embedded within the branding and storytelling of a whisky.