🥃 The Famous Grouse Smoky Black
A smokier blended scotch from The Famous Grouse, formerly The Black Grouse; 40% ABV, no age statement.
The Famous Grouse Smoky Black is the smokier expression of The Famous Grouse: a blended Scotch whisky bottled at 40% ABV with no age statement. It was previously called The Black Grouse; in September 2015 it was renamed so that the brand's main expressions would look uniform. The new bottle, made of tinted glass, hints at the smoky character.
Composition. According to Difford's Guide, the taste is malty with a light peat smoke; a 2014 tasting noted oatmeal, coffee, raisins and a dry tobacco finish. The producer does not name the whiskies in the blend, and sources disagree on which components are peated. According to TasteScot's review, it is a peated version of the base Famous Grouse with an extra smoky note.
Why this matters to you. If the standard Famous Grouse seems too soft to you, Smoky Black is a step towards smoky whiskies, though far less intense than a peated whisky from Islay. Compare it with the base expression and Sherry Cask Finish on the brand's pages. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Legal basis | Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890): oak casks up to 700 l, at least 3 years, at least 40% ABV |
|---|---|
| Raw material | malt whiskies (partly peated) and grain whiskies (blend) |
| Minimum maturation | no age statement |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 40% ABV (80 proof) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 The Famous Grouse Smoky Black → packed in → 🍷 Oak barrel ← packed in ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🥃 The Famous Grouse, 🥃 Blended Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Scotch Whisky, 🥃 Peated whisky
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker Double Black, 🥃 The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky, 🥃 The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky, 🥃 The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask Finish, 🥃 The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask Finish
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Smoky Black used to have a different name?
Yes. Until September 2015 it was called The Black Grouse; the renaming was explained by the wish for one look across the main expressions.
What is the strength of Smoky Black?
40% ABV (80 proof), according to Difford's Guide.
Is this a peated single malt?
No. It is a blend, in which smokiness is only one trait, not the only one.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Johnnie Walker Double Black — Smokier Johnnie Walker expression with no age statement, first released in 2010 for global travel retail; 40% ABV on the US page.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 The Famous Grouse Sherry Cask Finish · 🥃 The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky · 🥃 Cutty Sark Original · 🥃 Cutty Sark Prohibition · 🥃 Dewar's 15 Year Old · 🥃 Royal Salute 38 Year Old Stone of Destiny
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Difford's Guide: The Famous Grouse Smoky Black (40 %; formerly The Black Grouse, renamed September 2015; malty, smoky peat)
- TasteScot: The Famous Grouse, an honest guide to Scotland's favourite blend (standard bottling, Smoky Black, Sherry Cask Finish; blend of malt and grain, sherry-cask malt heart)
- The Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2890), reg. 3: definition and categories of Scotch Whisky (Scotland, oak up to 700 l, min. 3 years, min. 40 % ABV)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)