Head to head-Famous Jubilee vs. The Black Grouse- Alpha

[Quaich1]

Now here's a very interesting head-to-head comparison I made today between the Famous Jubilee Special Limited Edition and The Black Grouse- Alpha.

Famous Jubilee- Neat

Nose:
Fruity, oranges, salted butter, carmels, light sweet smoke, hint of sponge candy, refreshing, cream soda and sherry note.

Palate:
Citrus marmalade, spice, mint, mocha coffee, chocolate and walnuts.

Finish:
Lingering spice, hint of polished leather and espresso morphing into French vanilla.

*This is a robust blended scotch oozing fine Macallan and Highland Park notes. I didn't add any water with this one.


The Black Grouse-Alpha Edition - Neat

Nose:
Pungent, BBQ smoke, cloves, sea air, earthy, lime sherbet, a kissing cousin of Yoichi 10 on the nose and creme caramel.

Palate:
Spicy, toffee, salted butter, freshly chopped oak, some waves of peat float by.

Finish:
Lingering, oaky, black pepper corns( freshly ground), ash and spice.

This is a powerful dram for only 40%abv. Apparently, some batches have a sulphur problem according to a pundit. No issue here with this one.

The Famous Jubilee is a smooth tasteful dram that could easily be a favorite blend, up there with Ballantine's 17. The Black Grouse Alpha is an expression tailored to the scotch blend connoisseur.

**** I then tried a a few drops of water with the Alpha which really gives it a different
taste profile.Opens with black licorice notes and fresh sawdust on the nose.
On the palate, the water creates a maltier note with thin layers of peat and fresh ground cloves. On the finish, the water creates a surge of earthiness, sandy loam soil and is lasting.
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[James T]

Cheers for your notes on these. I havent tried any of these but i have always had a soft spot for the Famous Grouse, probably the blend i drunk most as a young man back in Scotland. They had a Famous Grouse Gold Reserve 12 year old a while back which was excellent not sure if they still produce it now.

[Kava]

James the Famous Grouse Gold Reserve 12 year old is still around, you will find it in whisky shops and direct from the Famous Grouse website but i havent seen it on the supermarket shelves for some time. I agree it is a great expression of the Famous Grouse. I dont know why the Edrington group didnt push it mpre as it could have easily competed at the same level in the market place as Johnnie Walker 12 Black Label.