Famous Grouse The Naked Grouse

The Naked Grouse was reinvented last summer. It still comes in the same beautiful bottle, but now it is a blended malt (so no grain in the mix) and composed only of sherry matured whisky. Insiders claim in contains Glenturret, Macallan, Highland Park and more. It is rather popular in the cocktail scene, but is it drinkable on its own, I wonder?

The nose is soft and sweet. Raisins, apple sauce, lemongrass, toffee, some leather… but it’s all rather soft. Not outspoken at all. I will not say ‘boring’, but it comes close.

Allthough mouthfeel is fine, the palate is again too soft to jump out. Toffee becomes caramel, citrus turns into oranges and some chocolate appears. Some nuts. From the spice rack, I get some nutmeg and black pepper. But again… well, might as well call this boring.

The finish is the best part. All components come together once more with a nice hint of woodsmoke, to end in a fresh not of blueberries, before leaving the mouth surprisingly dry.

It actually reminds me a bit of Douglas Laing’s Scallywag. Not a bad purchase for 26 EUR, especially if you are looking to make a refreshing cocktail like the Cherry Soda during this hot summer.

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