The Famous Grouse Celebration Blend [Mystery Review]

Thanks to /u/cake_my_day for the mystery sample.

You’re traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. As a reader, you’re not drinking the dram, you’re reading about it. Sober, inebriated, or rather just staring at a screen. Nonetheless, the dram ahead of you only says Scotch. You are entering: The Mystery Dram Zone.

Enter: A mild mannered fool who used to be known for dick jokes and has since run out of material before he ran out of whisky to try in the world. Sitting, as he does, on the floor, drinking comfortably. But what he’s about to do isn’t his best. He’s going to guess, and guess poorly.

His innocence broken, it’s just another mystery dram in the zone.

Price: N/A in Ontario

Region: Blend

Abv: 40%

Colour: 5YR 6/8

Nose: Strawberry, concord grape, white chocolate, cran-orange cookie

Fruit. Definitely has some sherry influence. I’m guessing more Oloroso than PX. It’s not cask strength, that I can tell as well.

Odd notes. Curls the ear hairs with tart notes. That’s not a bad thing. Sherry has taken over quite a bit.

Taste: Limoncello, orange peel, cream, cardamon, pepper

Interesting. It’s spicy and citrus-y. I can proudly say that I think it’s both sherry and not cask strength. Has a light mouthfeel and taste. Needs time.

Finish: Brown sugar, lemon peel, coffee, ginger, cranberry, cigar

Nice finish. The earth from what I’m now pretty sure is some sherry influence is there, and has a nice taste to it. I’d say that the base spirit (see, I’m wrong here) is something more spicy, probably a Speyside or potentially a Highland.

Conclusion: It’s an interesting dram here. Quite a big of sherry influence on it. No real rough parts to it. I’m guessing a Speyside (already sent my guess, was wrong, see below).

I like the balance nature of this. It’s not a high Abv, which is too bad, but overall is nice to sip on. Quite tasty overall.

I looked over cake’s list and honestly was lost. The fact this is a blend is impressive. These are the good blends, in my opinion, because normally Grouse isn’t this good.

80/100

Guess: Speyside, Oloroso cask, nothing too old, not high Abv. Is it Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso? Doesn’t make sense because it doesn’t taste strong, but I’m lost and alone on this one.

Actually: The Famous Grouse Celebration Blend

Scotch review #558, Blend review #58, Whisky Network review #922

1001 Whiskies You Must Taste Before You Die review #313