Country: Scotland
Brand: The Silver Grouse
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 45%
Colour: Golden Amber with Orange tones. Caramel was added.
Nose: First of all I advise you to give the Silver Grouse sufficient time in the glass. It's a while ago that I smelled a Whisky and could not identify one of the main Aromas but it's clearly the case here. I even have difficulties in describing it. Well, let's start with what I do get. Sherry and a hint of Sulphur, Sweet Red Fruit, Sour Apples, Dried Apricot, Honey, Barley, Milka Milk Chocolate, Toffee, Walnuts, Oak, Buttered Toast, light Vanilla and hints of Aniseed, Cinnamon, Espresso and Salt. Mainly Ex-Bourbon Refill but some Ex-Sherry Casks as well I think. The Alcohol is not fully integrated. The Silver Grouse has a very dark colour and I wonder if it's the added Caramel that I smell. Or maybe the Phosphor. Despite this small issue I find the Nose sufficiently interesting for a Blended Whisky. For sure Macallan is one of the vatted Single Malts here.
Taste: Quite Sweet but slightly Sour at the same time with Sherry, light Sulphur, Cocoa Powder, Barley, Toffee, light Vanilla, Oak, Dried Fruits like Raisins and Apricot, light Chocolate and Spices like Pepper and Nutmeg.
Finish: Middle Long and a bit like Rum or Bourbon with Oak, Vanilla, Cinnamon, light Sherry, Pepper, Nutmeg, Dried Fruits and light Menthol.
I added a few drops of Water and you get more Barley, Fruit (Peach), Vanilla and Honey on the Nose. Palate and Finish do not show material differences with the exception of some more Pepper in the Finish. You should try to nose both with - and without Water. But better sip it neat!
Rating: 83.5
Nose: 21.5 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 20 - Overall: 21
Macallan Distillery
General Remarks: The Silver Grouse 12 Years Vatted Blend was created to celebrate the fact that The Famous Grouse was Scotland's best selling Blended Scotch for 25 Years. Caramel was added for colour and the Blend was Chill-Filtered at -8 Degrees Celsius. It is said to contain some Macallan, Highland Park and Glenrothes. The average price is 40 US Dollars. I bought a sample at Whiskysite in Rotterdam. I never saw it in any shop though, neither in Brazil nor abroad.
Drinking Experience Neat: Good
Conclusion: This was certainly an interesting Blend to smell. Except for the UWA (Unidentified Whisky Aroma) I liked the Nose. Lots of Aromas to discover. Good combination of Sweet and Sour. With Water the Nose becomes Sweeter and you will find a nice Peach Note. The Palate and Finish are not quite that interesting and a bit too Sweet perhaps but certainly good enough for a Blend in this Price Range. If you can find it for around 40 US Dollars you should certainly get it. If all 40 US Dollar Blends would smell like the Silver Grouse 12 years, the Whisky World would be a better place!
Jan van den Ende February 5, 2014
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