The Black Grouse

Nose: Infusing without being intrusive. Quite polite and small. Shy peat notes.

Mouth: Lots going on! A very interesting surprise. Much more insistent than the nose but still not aggressive - it's all there and coats the mouth accordingly but without rushing you. Peat first but it sweetens up nicely through the smokey overtures with perhaps a very faint dried fruit note. I don't get the full fruit flavours others seem to get, but this may be for the better. It's balanced, nothing overwhelms.

After: The mouth strides into the finish beautifully but i get a burnt dark chocolate note at the back that I didn't find particularly pleasant behind some nice spice and smoke. A snatch of the sea.

A really nice surprise - Grouse isn't something I expected to see the inside of my drinks cabinet again!

Find where to buy Famous Grouse whisky