The Famous Grouse is consistently one of the highest-selling whisky brands in the UK. Whilst the majority of its sales are in the United Kingdom, it is sold in other select world markets including the USA. In 2023, it sat just outside the Top 20 of all world whisky sales and was the sixth best-selling Scotch brand on that list. Only Johnnie Walker, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Grant’s and William Lawson’s beat it.
The brand is owned by the Edrington Group and uses several single malt and single grain whiskies in the blend, including those from the company’s three distilleries – Glenrothes, Highland Park and The Macallan. The Famous Grouse has been part of their portfolio since 1999. At the time of writing the sale of the brand, plus its sibling Naked Malt, has been agreed in principal with William Grant & Sons, although this is on hold.
The Famous Grouse was created by Matthew Gloag. His company, Matthew Gloag & Son, was set up in 1800 in the town of Perth. It was originally a wine merchant and importer, and supplied wine to Queen Victoria whenever was in residence at Balmoral Castle in the Highlands.
In 1860, Matthew’s son William took over and started buying and blending whiskies from around Scotland, as was the trend at the time. Other famous blends came out of other Scottish wine or grocery stores in a similar way – this includes Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock, Ballantine’s in Edinburgh and Chivas in Aberdeen.
The popularity of Gloag’s blends grew and in 1896, his son (Matthew) launched The Grouse, which later became The Famous Grouse in 1905. The name was given so as to attract the sporting clientele who frequented the Highlands in the late Victorian era to go shooting, hunting and fishing. The iconic grouse logo was a pencil drawing by Matthew’s daughter and is still used on the label today.
The Famous Grouse is bottled at 40% ABV and is widely available, especially within the UK. This includes pubs, bars, convenience stores, supermarkets and whisky retailers. A 70cl bottle should cost £18-20, although is often on offer for less in supermarkets.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is a light amber and the nose is sweet and malty. Leading aromas include caramel, raisins and sultanas, and vanilla. These are quickly joined by stewed green apple, toffee and butterscotch. Further aromas of brown sugar, chocolate coated malt cookies and cinnamon also come through.
On the palate this whisky is again sweet and malty. There is plenty of caramel and fairground toffee apple up front and these notes are quickly followed by crumbly brown sugar,raisin and plump sugary sultana. Then comes creamy vanilla and butterscotch, plus some bittersweet malty cereal grains, which is reminiscent of freshly baked biscuits. There is just a whiff of delicate, earthy smoke. This sits in the background and adds a pleasant savoury balance to the sweeter elements. Hints of warming cinnamon, white pepper and gingerbread add depth.
The finish is of decent length and becomes more warming and drying with time. This allows the gentle smoke to become more prominent, along with an increasing peppery nature. This is especially true once the sweeter and fruitier elements have faded. The apple is the last of these characteristics to go.
What’s The Verdict?
The Famous Grouse is way better than it should be for the budget price. It is easy to see why it is so popular with a wide audience and demographic. The blend ticks so many boxes – it is sweet, malt, soft and gentle, easy drinking and gives great ‘bang for your buck’. It is not the most complex whisky, but it does not need to be. It is enjoyable neat, but is especially good over ice or when mixed in a cocktail. Definitely one to try, especially as it is presented in several different sizes of bottle so you do not even have to purchase a full 70cl.
