The Famous Grouse^® Blended Scotch Whisky Unveils Its Darker Side

By Mike Newford

The Famous Grouse has announced the launch of its newest blended whisky, The Black Grouse. Deriving its name from one of the rarest animals to fly the sky, the whisky is as rare as the bird. Billed as “the darker side of The Famous Grouse,” this newest addition to the Grouse family has the richest, smoothest flavor of any blended Scotch; it’s a smooth blend of smoky peated malts and Scotland’s favorite whisky.

This newest blend has already garnered attention from whisky professionals and aficionados:  it was awarded the Best Premium Blend ~ Gold Award (with 94 points out of a possible 100) at the Scotch Whisky Masters. Jim Murray, international whisky authority and author of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible, described it as a “real treasure” and of the finish he said that it was “…so gentle, with waves of smoke and oak lapping on an oaky shore… brilliant.”

Says U.S. Brand Manager Marc Bromfeld of Rémy Cointreau USA, “The blended whisky market is ready for a unique new product like this one; its smooth and smoky character adds an entirely different element to the mix.”

Inspired by the smoky essence and versatility of The Black Grouse, NYC barbeque restaurant Blue Smoke’s Beverage Manager Tinika Green and bartender Andrew Duncan worked together to create a special cocktail, the Black and Blue, as a fall entry on Blue Smoke’s cocktail menu ~ but they’ve also been kind enough to share the recipe with us!

The Black and Blue

2 ounce The Black Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky

.5ounce calvados (apple brandy)

.5 ounce amaretto

.25 ounce hazelnut liqueur

“The Black Grouse’s flavor profile pairs well with the hints of sweetness in different barbecue rubs and sauces,” says Jason Krantz, Chef de Cuisine at Blue Smoke. “[When] we head into the fall, the smoky flavor combination of The Black Grouse and succulent barbecue will really warm the soul.”

ABV: 40%

Color: Dark, russet golden

Bouquet: Peaty-smoke then delicate sweetness. Golden raw sugar with traces of malt and oak.

Palate: Subtle smoky-sweet tones. A silky smooth delivery with hints of cocoa and spice.

Finish: Long, peaty, aromatic. Gentle smokiness, giving way to a resonant oaky nose.

For more information, please visit www.famousgrouse.com.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 3:19 pm and is filed under Dining, Highlights, Vol. 21. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.