The Black Grouse Alpha Edition
The Black Grouse Alpha Edition is a peated version of the Famous Grouse. As it is a blend, the barley used specifically for this whisky was not peated, as is the case with a single malt. Instead, they took fully matured Islay whisky and blended it with the standard Famous Grouse. We suspect it will be Caol Ila, as is so often the case.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The blend opens very earthy with notes reminiscent of musty wet forest soil. A bit as if it had rained for a week after a forest fire. Something sour resonates, a little orange and here and there a little malt.
Palate
Surprisingly little smoke, correspondingly probably a small Islay whisky share. Surprisingly sweet and cerealy, almost bourbon-like notes of caramel and vanilla with bitter orange and roasted grain.
Finish
The mild finish is short and malty with charcoal and some caramel.
Thoughts
Marcel 59/100
The Black Grouse Alpha Edition isn’t a dramatic standout, but with its sweet notes and earthy forest character, it certainly has its own charm. It’s enough for a little venture into the peated world, though it doesn’t really knock your socks off – more of a solid, straightforward blend for casual sipping.
Sascha 60/100
The Alpha Edition shows an interesting balance between mild, sweet bourbon notes and subtle hints of smoke, yet structurally it remains rather simple and not very complex. For the price, there are definitely better-balanced alternatives in the blended whisky segment with a clearer profile.
Value for Money: Fair
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Why is the Black Grouse Alpha Edition less smoky than typical Islay whiskies despite being peated?
The Black Grouse Alpha Edition contains only a small proportion of Islay whisky, likely Caol Ila, which is fully matured. The barley used for the blend is unpeated, which means the smoky character in the flavor is much more restrained compared to single malts from Islay.
What role does the combination of matured Islay whisky and Famous Grouse play in the flavor of this blend?
The combination creates a balance between earthy, lightly smoky notes and sweet, grainy aromas like caramel and vanilla. This results in a mild, complex blend with hints of damp forest floor and a bourbon-like sweetness.
How does the Black Grouse Alpha Edition differ from a classic single malt in terms of production?
Unlike a single malt, the Black Grouse Alpha Edition is a blend where the barley is not peated. Instead, fully matured Islay whisky is mixed with the standard Famous Grouse, leading to a different flavor profile than a typical peated single malt.