Famous Grouse is a blended scotch whisky brand, holding the title of Scotland’s best-selling whisky for over four decades. It lines store shelves alongside popular labels such as Johnny Walker, Dewar’s, and Ballantine’s.
For everyday drinking, Famous Grouse is the dram of choice in many European countries including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, and Finland. It is less popular in the United States, giving the bottles an air of novelty in the American market.
The brand’s packaging pays tribute to Scotland’s beloved game bird: the red grouse. The label is characterized by a red grouse drawn against a Scottish backdrop. The illustration was created by Britain’s most esteemed wildlife artist, Rodger McPhail. The bottle also features bold lettering in a striking red color, making it stand out.
To learn more about the Famous Grouse line of blended whiskys, read on. This piece sheds light on the history and traditions that make this blend so special, while also reviewing its sipping experience.
Famous Grouse: An Introduction
Famous Grouse has a long history that goes back to the nineteenth in Scotland. Its legacy originates from a small grocer’s brewery in Perthshire, Scotland. After years of development and dedication to mastering their craft, Famous Grouse now ranks as the top 6th blended whisky in the world.
The Famous Grouse range is presently blended in Glasgow, Scotland by the Edrington Group. The whisky blend is based on high-quality single malts such as Highland Park and The Macallan. These single malts are married and aged for six months in ex-sherry casks, imbuing the liquor with subtly sweet notes of dried fruit.
The carefully designed aging process also yields a buttery smooth blend that is balanced and easy to drink.
In the glass, Famous Grouse has a clear, amber appearance. The nose opens with sweet, soft notes that are highly indulgent. The aroma has hints of the sherry cask, with layers of toffee and dried fruit that are balanced by a citrusy crispness.
Upon initial sip, a burst of flavor opens the palate, with barley grain and vanilla notes at the forefront. As the taste evolves, the sweet toffee and caramel notes fade to reveal smoky notes of toasted oak. The drink has a well-balanced texture making for a light, yet satisfying mouthfeel.
After its rebrand in 2010, the Famous Grouse range released two additional blended whisky variants inspired by the original formula. These include the Famous Grouse Smoky Black and the Famous Grouse Sherry Cask. The variants experiment with the original Famous Grouse taste profile, deepening the flavors with unique, specialized finishes.
The Famous Grouse range has just the amount of character for casual drinking or bringing to parties. It can also make for a great value gift due to its widely celebrated Scottish heritage.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Famous Grouse?
Most Scottish blend whiskys have an alcohol content between 40 and 30 percent by volume. This makes for a strong drink that can be sipped on its own for a substantial kick, or hold its own as a cocktail base.
In line with this, Famous Grouse whisky is bottled at 80 proof and is 40 percent alcohol by volume. All variants in the range have a strong 40 percent alcohol content by volume.
What Is the History of Famous Grouse?
Famous Grouse has a tall history going back to the late nineteenth century. The brand was launched in 1896 from a small grocer’s shop in Athol Street, Perthshire. Interestingly, the story of the Famous Grouse started brewing several generations back, starting in the early 1800s.
The grocery store in Perthshire originally belonged to John Brown and was later transferred to his son-in-law Matthew Gloag, who was highly knowledgeable about wines and spirits. Gloag helped expand the liquor business, even catering spirits and food for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1842.
Then, the business was succeeded by William Gloag, who passed it down to his son, Matthew Gloag III. Matthew Gloag III started working on recipes for blended whisky in 1875, and in 1896, he released the company’s first blended whisky, named ‘the Grouse’. In a few years, the spirit became so popular and loved that it was renamed the ‘Famous’ Grouse.
By 1905, the spirits were being bottled under a limited company known as Matthew Gloag and Sons. Expanding out of its home ground at Athol Street, the business was moved to a new location purpose-built for spirit making.
After its acquisition by the Edrington group in 1999, The Famous Grouse brand image has seen a slight shift. The label designs and marketing were refreshed to reflect a more premium image, and the original range has been extended to include new flavors.
Since its conception however, The Famous Grouse has lived up to its original goal of making the best blended whisky in the world.
Where Is Famous Grouse From?
Famous Grouse has its roots in Perthshire, Scotland. The idea was first conceived in a small grocery business on Athol Street. The company’s branding reflects this heritage by featuring Scotland’s favorite game bird, the red grouse on its label. The illustration also includes Scottish plains as a backdrop, appreciating the country’s scenic countryside.
When Was Famous Grouse Created?
The idea for Scotland’s best whisky spirit was conceived in the mid-1800s by Matthew Gloag III. The first blend of Famous Grouse was launched in 1896, with a red grouse as its symbol. Matthew’s daughter Phillipa is credited with illustrating the red grouse icon that adorns the bottles to date.
What Types of Famous Grouse Are There?
The Famous Grouse range is most known for its standard Famous Grouse blend with Scotland’s premium quality malts and grain whiskys. The company debuted with this blend in 1896 and continues production of the original formula to date.
In the 2000s, alongside a brand refresh, the Famous Grouse company decided to experiment with new finishes. This resulted in the release of two new variants, each with a new, unique finish: Famous Grouse Smoky Black and Famous Grouse Sherry Cask.
The Famous Grouse
The Famous Grouse is one of the most popular blended whisky formulas around the world, with around 43 million bottles sold every year. This blend was created in a small grocery store in Perthshire and has since expanded into over 90 markets.
The Famous Grouse blend promises superior taste, made in Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest and finest distillery. It includes distillates from premium malts including Highland Park and The Macallan. These are blended and married with grain malts for about six months, stored in oak casks.
The aroma and flavor of The Famous Grouse are rich, yet soft. First impressions reveal a burst of creamy toffee, fruit cake, and orange, underscored by grainy malt. Flavors upon entry are sweet, with caramel and vanilla dominating the palette. The taste develops to reveal a subtle smokiness, reminiscent of a distant campfire.
When poured into a clear vessel, the liquid appears clear golden and has a light to medium texture.
Famous Grouse Smoky Black
The Famous Grouse Smoky Black variant was originally launched in 2007, under the name Black Grouse. In 2015, the variant was rebranded and added to the core Famous Grouse range as Famous Grouse Smoky Black.
With its formula derived from the original Famous Grouse whisky, it is a smooth and aromatic blend with notes of dried fruit and spices. It is blended using a unique peated malt which adds a smoky edge to the taste and aromatic profile. The spirit exhibits a dark amber color when poured, indicative of the liquid’s rich, deep flavoring.
Famous Grouse Sherry Cask
The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask variant was launched in 2022. The project was in development for two years before its release into the global market. Its label features a Capercaillie, a large grouse species native to Spain.
Like other variants, The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask has a buttery finish and complex flavor. It is made from a blend of carefully selected Speyside malts matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks.
A drink from the Sherry Cask blend greets the palate with sweet notes of dark chocolate, nuts, and oak. The nose experiences a delicate combination of poached pear, cocoa beans, cinnamon, and ginger.
In terms of appearance, the Famous Grouse Sherry Cask is an interesting deep amber with hues of red.
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What Ingredients Are in Famous Grouse?
While the Famous Grouse has not revealed their exact blend recipe, there are clues about the malt blends involved. The original formula incorporates high-quality blends produced by the Edrington Group, including Highland Park and The Macallan.
How Much Does Famous Grouse Usually Cost?
The Famous Grouse range is fairly affordable, with the regular blend retailing at a price of around $20 for 750 ml. The Sherry Cask and Black Grouse finishes can be found between $25 to $30, depending on the store.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy Famous Grouse?
The Famous Grouse range lends itself to a variety of occasions, from casual everyday drinking to more substantial occasions. This blended whisky range can be enjoyed on its own at room temperature or on the rocks to bring out its flavors. It also performs well in cocktails and mixer drinks due to its complex yet medium-strength flavors.
It can also be enjoyed alongside dark chocolate or dried fruits for a rich, indulgent snack. For more serious dining consider pairing the drink with smoked meats such as salmon and grilled sausage.
How to Choose a Good Famous Grouse
Choosing a good Famous Grouse drink is a matter of personal preference and occasion. You can reliably reach for the standard Famous Grouse whisky if you’re looking for a rich, complex spirit for casual sipping.
If you feel in the mood for deeper, smoky flavors then The Smoky Grouse Smoky Black is a good pick. The Sherry Cask finish is a dependable drink if you enjoy a touch of festivity, with a combination of sweet and spicy flavors.
Where Can You Find Famous Grouse?
The Famous Grouse has been released globally into 93 markets. It is distributed widely, and is found in most stores in the US, UK, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, and Portugal, as well as online retailers, like us at Speakeasy Co. The newer Sherry Cask variant may not be available as widely, as it has been launched into 19 markets as of yet.
Famous Grouse FAQs
The Famous Grouse has evolved significantly in the past decade, introducing new variants and refreshing their brand image. This has created curiosity around the brand, its products and its heritage. The following questions offer insight into some of the most common inquiries about The Famous Grouse.
Is The Famous Grouse a single malt or blend?
The Famous Grouse is one of the oldest whisky blends originating from Scotland. The range consists entirely of blended scotch whisky, and there are no single malts under the Famous Grouse umbrella.
What is the alcohol content of The Famous Grouse?
All whisky drinks in the Famous Grouse range have 40 percent alcohol by volume. This is also the standard strength for most whisky spirits.
Which is the best Famous Grouse Whisky variant?
The standard Famous Grouse whisky variant has a substantial fan following around the globe. In the UK, it is estimated that one bottle of The Famous Grouse sells every 3 minutes. Thus according to popular opinion, the classic Famous Grouse has a versatile formulation that suits many taste preferences.
Cheers to Scotland’s Beloved: The Famous Grouse
The Famous Grouse has remained a key player in the whisky business for several decades. The company has continually experimented with the brand while staying true to its Scottish roots. Its commitment to preserving the classic formulation while adding new flavors assures that the Famous Grouse legacy will never be lost.
All things considered, The Famous Grouse is a dependable and reasonable blended whisky that can be enjoyed whenever, however.
