Famous Grouse Experience

I have heard that Famous Grouse is one of the better blends. I started years ago with the likes of Cutty Sark, Chivas, J&B, Dewars and never "got into" scotch. Then a friend offered me a choice of a couple of single malts a few years back and I discovered what I had been missing for years. I haven't had a blended scotch for years, but Famous Grouse is highly rated as a blend.

I'll also put in a good word for Bells 8yo. Bells used to be in my 'spoon cleaning' category but they revamped it a few years ago and it's much better now.

Jim

If you're in the UK or elsewhere and see Famous Grouse Pure Malt, grab it. It's a vatted malt (no grain) with a heavy component of Macallan and Highland Park. Does anyone know if it's available in the U.S.?

Peter

There are two versions of the Famous Grouse pure malt available here in the USA: a 12yo and an 18yo. Neither carry a vintage date.

Head to head I prefer the FG 12yo Blend, the so-called "Gold Reserve" to the 12yo malt, but the 18yo malt is superb. It's rich and well sherried, and you can easily believe you're tasting the Macallan in it even though it probably has more Tamdhu than either Macallan or Highland Park. And it's really attractively priced too, about $50 USD locally, and while that may seem like a good bit for a vatted malt compare it to the prices of most singles at about 18 years to see what a bargain it is. Really delicious whisky.

Bart

Hi Peter,

Two versions of the Famous Grouse Pure Malt are available here in the USA: a 12yo version and an 18yo. They don't carry a vintage date.

Head to head I prefer the FG 12yo blend, the so-called "Gold Reserve" to the 12yo malt. The FG 18yo vatted malt is wonderful though; it's rich and well-sherried, and it's easy to believe you're tasting the Macallan i

When I lived near Inverness it was the standard blend that everyone ordered or bought in (much like Bells around Glasgow). As blends go, it is fairly classy, with some nice rich touches on its bright, clear frame.

I was given a bottle of Famous Grouse Scottish Oak Finish just last week. Finished in new Perthshire oaks, the finish was way too sweet for my liking. The vanilla was too obvious for me. It overpowered all else. Having said that I also have had the FG Port Wood finish and I did like that much better.

Peace,

Jock

The Step-We-Ceilidh Band.

I tried it several years ago and found it be quite ordinary...pretty much in the same league with Dewar's and JW Red. A very lively blended scotch and readily availble in the U.S. is Teacher's Highland Cream.

Ken