The Edrington group also owns The Glenrothes distillery which may account for the maltiness in this whisky. I agree that this blend beats the JW Double Black. Good review boys!
Great review! I was very curious about this whisky after recently learning about it. I think I will add it to my collection for those rare mixed scotch drinks. Looking forward to the rum review!
Thank you both to give that bottle a chance! The color is a shock ...ok....but the price of 16€ in Germany is an absolutely great performance for that nice blend ! Respekt. I’ll try to get my hands on it. Greetings from over there ....
Thanks for this tip, guys ! I just had my first dram of the bottle I bought almost 2 months ago as per this your recommendation, and I must say I'm impressed by its quality at that price (22,90 € / 1 Liter). There _is_ a little bit of the grainy bitterness at the back end, but apart from that there is nothing in this that would have brought me to suspect it is not a blended malt. Somewhat Highland Parkish, methinks, and I shall compare a little bit of this with the HP 12 next year. And I agree, this is to be preferred over Johnnie Walker Black. Will compare it against Johnnie Walker Green Label in a few months.
I can say this much now: the JW Green 15 wins against this - which, given the price difference and the age statement, however, was certainly to be expected. I am using up the rest of the FGSB with fresh pressed lemon juice at present. A direct comparison with the HP 12 is to be expected when I open that one in the first half of 2019.
I opened the HP 12 "Viking Honor" earlier than expected, compared it with this, and yes, the HP signature is noticeable in this Famous Grouse. I would guess the quality difference between them to amount to roughly 3 rating points _(probably more on your scales)_ . Personally, I'd rather drink less and buy the HP 12 than rebuy this.
@@TheSingleMaltReview I've noticed that Teachers seems to change its nose and palate quite a bit so that by the end of the bottle it tastes much rougher and less smokey than when the bottle is first opened. This is a theory I have. I'm going to have to test it soon when I get around to opening another bottle of it. I've noticed this occurs with other scotches as well. Unfortunately we remember how a scotch tastes from the last few times we had it, and thats usually when its at the end of its time in the bottle and most oxidized. This may skew our thoughts more than we're aware of.
@@TheSingleMaltReview You owe it to yourself to acquire a bottle and try it! I'm on a mission to try the FG Smoky Black as a result of your review, but out of 7 liquor stores that are local only one carried FG and it was only the standard blend, not the Smoky Black version.
That's the taste from the peat smoke process. You spend more than double on a bottle of Laphroaig and it will taste 10 times more medicinal than this. It's like marmite. You either love it or you hate it.
@@Gggrrrrrrrr23 absolitely. Im drinking this fomous grouse right now but recemtly tried laphroig 10yrwhich i really enjoyed much more but it is much more smoky and medicinal.
Just opened a bottle while watching and listening.... I've recently tried the standard grouse and it was an agreeable blended scotch. ----"a gentle fog of peatiness that sort of washes over"------- I could not have described it better...... PRECISELY what I get too.... The more I sip on this one the more I like it..... That gentle peat fog stays on the palate in the finish and then fades in to a pleasant sweet bitter distant ash.......For sure I also pick up what seems like a speyside-ish note too... GREAT REVIEW GUYS!!! SLAINTE!!!
What about the RED SCREWTOP? Look at that damned grouse-it has a RED EYE COMB! And it is a frigging Highland whisky, not Speyside. The Glenlivet, Tamdhu and Glengoyne are unmissable; hardly any Macallan.
I opened my first bottle of this Smoky Grouse tonight and it is quite good! Great review gentlemen!
Great review! I like this FG Smoky Black very much! Cheers 👌😊🥃!
The Edrington group also owns The Glenrothes distillery which may account for the maltiness in this whisky.
I agree that this blend beats the JW Double Black. Good review boys!
I love this blend, for its price,amazing
Great review! I was very curious about this whisky after recently learning about it. I think I will add it to my collection for those rare mixed scotch drinks. Looking forward to the rum review!
Not quite, but close
Thank you both to give that bottle a chance! The color is a shock ...ok....but the price of 16€ in Germany is an absolutely great performance for that nice blend ! Respekt.
I’ll try to get my hands on it. Greetings from over there ....
Interesting. I might give it chance if I see it at a good price, simply because you got me curious ;)
Bought a bottle last night on the "discontinued" shelf for $23.00! Very nice scotch fir the price.
Just got two bottles for $10 each a few weeks ago. Gave one as a gift. Great stuff.
Nice one guys. I’ll have to look for it. I’ve been enjoying the Naked Grouse as of late.
Thanks for this tip, guys ! I just had my first dram of the bottle I bought almost 2 months ago as per this your recommendation, and I must say I'm impressed by its quality at that price (22,90 € / 1 Liter). There _is_ a little bit of the grainy bitterness at the back end, but apart from that there is nothing in this that would have brought me to suspect it is not a blended malt. Somewhat Highland Parkish, methinks, and I shall compare a little bit of this with the HP 12 next year. And I agree, this is to be preferred over Johnnie Walker Black. Will compare it against Johnnie Walker Green Label in a few months.
Highland Park is certainly the one Edrington Group distillery that would most comfortably produce the peated element in the blend.
I can say this much now: the JW Green 15 wins against this - which, given the price difference and the age statement, however, was certainly to be expected. I am using up the rest of the FGSB with fresh pressed lemon juice at present. A direct comparison with the HP 12 is to be expected when I open that one in the first half of 2019.
I opened the HP 12 "Viking Honor" earlier than expected, compared it with this, and yes, the HP signature is noticeable in this Famous Grouse. I would guess the quality difference between them to amount to roughly 3 rating points _(probably more on your scales)_ . Personally, I'd rather drink less and buy the HP 12 than rebuy this.
Which one has a more peaty flavor, Teacher's Highland Cream or the Famous Grouse Smoky Black?
Smoky Black has a little more. It's also a more typical Islay style peat, rather than the uniquely dry Ardmore peat that fuels the Teachers blend.
9.5 drinks per bottle! I won't argue with the bottle guidance!
Is this the highest Blended Scotch that you have marked?
Is it exactly the same as the Black Grouse used to be?
As far as I know only the packaging was changed.
TOP 3 Blended whisky for me :)
What are your top 3?
Curious how this compares with Teachers?
I'd say this is significantly better, though it's more expensive in kind.
@@TheSingleMaltReview Thank you for your quick reply. I need to try this FG Smoky Black. Have you compared this with Whitehorse standard?
@@EuropaWill No, never tried Whitehorse. Very difficult to find in our territory.
@@TheSingleMaltReview I've noticed that Teachers seems to change its nose and palate quite a bit so that by the end of the bottle it tastes much rougher and less smokey than when the bottle is first opened. This is a theory I have. I'm going to have to test it soon when I get around to opening another bottle of it. I've noticed this occurs with other scotches as well. Unfortunately we remember how a scotch tastes from the last few times we had it, and thats usually when its at the end of its time in the bottle and most oxidized. This may skew our thoughts more than we're aware of.
@@TheSingleMaltReview You owe it to yourself to acquire a bottle and try it! I'm on a mission to try the FG Smoky Black as a result of your review, but out of 7 liquor stores that are local only one carried FG and it was only the standard blend, not the Smoky Black version.
I just cracked a bottle of this while watching your review. I notice a predominant medicinal taste. Not bad but very noticeable...
That's the taste from the peat smoke process. You spend more than double on a bottle of Laphroaig and it will taste 10 times more medicinal than this. It's like marmite. You either love it or you hate it.
@@Gggrrrrrrrr23 absolitely. Im drinking this fomous grouse right now but recemtly tried laphroig 10yrwhich i really enjoyed much more but it is much more smoky and medicinal.
Just opened a bottle while watching and listening.... I've recently tried the standard grouse and it was an agreeable blended scotch. ----"a gentle fog of peatiness that sort of washes over"------- I could not have described it better...... PRECISELY what I get too.... The more I sip on this one the more I like it..... That gentle peat fog stays on the palate in the finish and then fades in to a pleasant sweet bitter distant ash.......For sure I also pick up what seems like a speyside-ish note too... GREAT REVIEW GUYS!!!
SLAINTE!!!
I know they say Smokey Black is just the new packaging of Black Grouse, but I SWEAR the Black Grouse was superior to this. Am I the only one??
What about the RED SCREWTOP? Look at that damned grouse-it has a RED EYE COMB! And it is a frigging Highland whisky, not Speyside. The Glenlivet, Tamdhu and Glengoyne are unmissable; hardly any Macallan.
Please get better mics and speak louder. I can barely concentrate and listen on what you're saying
Guys, could you speak clearly and be a bit steady when you present? Thanks.
You guys take way to long to get into it goodbye.