Snow Grouse Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: The Snow Grouse

Type: Blended Grain Whisky

Age: NAS  (Said to have matured around 3,5 Years)

ABV: 40%

Colour: Pale Gold 

Nose: Light. The first impressions are not that good. There is some Sulphur present and I get an odd Metallic Off-Note. After a while it gets  better though with Oak, Lemon, Grain, Tangerine, some Spice and light Vanilla. Very little Alcohol which is good and unexpected. A very citric Nose not unlike the Lemon flavoured Vodkas. What can I say, it does not do much for me. I must admit that this is only my second pure Grain Whisky after the Irish Greenore Single Grain Whiskey. So maybe I'm not fully used to the characteristics of this spirit. As it stands however, I'm not overly impressed. It is quite smooth though!

Taste: Smooth but Thin delivery. Much Sweeter than I expected after the Nose. I find Sweet Grain, Biscuits/Corn Flakes, Vanilla, Oak, Light Spices and a touch of Mint.

Finish: Short with Sugared Grain, Vanilla Pudding and a hint of Honey.

I added a few drops of Water but that's not a good idea. The dram becomes completely unattractive.

Rating: 74 

Nose: 18 - Taste: 19 - Finish: 18.5 - Overall: 18.5

General Remarks: The Snow Grouse is the Chill-Filtered nephew of the Famous Grouse. You are supposed to drink it seriously chilled. I believe that the producers aim at a young vodka/gin drinking public. It's a blend of Grain whiskies, amongst others from the Girvan Distillery. These Grain whiskies have matured in Oak Casks. Nowadays, the Brand is owned by the Edrington Group. The Snow Grouse is not very expensive at around US$ 25.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Drinking Experience Seriously Chilled: Okay/Good. The Nose becomes unpleasantly Metallic. The delivery is a bit more Syrupy. On the Palate you get candied Pears, Vanilla and Spice. It wouldn't be too bad if there wasn't this Metallic Off-Note. Vanilla and Pepper are the main drivers in the Finish.

Conclusion: The Snow Grouse is not just a marketing Gimmick. It's a Whisky alternative for drinkers of flavoured Vodkas and Gins. Just put it in the Freezer and take it out on a warm day. It's drinkable, both neat and seriously chilled although the Metallic Off-Note there is unpleasant. People who love to sip a quality Single Malt or first rate Blend however should leave this white bird alone.

Jan van den Ende                                                             November 16, 2012