Famous whiskeys: history, overview of taste and types + how to distinguish a fake
You can recognize the classic scotch by the branded bird on the label, the same "famous partridge" that gave the flavorful product its name.
The line of the legendary whiskey is so diverse that you can find a variant for almost every taste. The Family Graus range includes malt and blends, aged and young drinks, budget and premium products, the latest developments and traditional Scotch scotch.
At the request of the buyer, the manufacturer is even ready to provide a bottle with a personalized label signed with the name of a particular person and supplemented with any text on the back.
The history of Family Graus whiskey
The first milestone in the creation of the famous brand was the opening of a small grocery store in the heart of Scotland - Perth in 1800. The owner of the newly created trading company was Matthew Gloag.
The young businessman specialized in the sale of alcohol: among other products, the store's assortment included whiskey and wine. Business at Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd" were going well.
In the mid-nineteenth century, after Queen Victoria visited Perth, the company began to supply alcoholic beverages to Her Majesty's table.
In 1860, Matthew's son William started producing whiskey on his own, buying spirits for blends from the best distilleries in the region.
Almost a hundred years passed after the opening of the store before the grandson of the merchant, his namesake, was inspired to create the best scotch in Scotland. He began his work by searching for worthy suppliers, cooperages and master buyers.
In 1896, the brand "The Grouse" was registered, named after the popular Scottish game. A sketch for the label of the new drink was drawn by Matthew's daughter Philippa. The popularity of scotch was actively gaining momentum, and it was called nothing less than "the famous grouse".
This is what prompted the company's owners to rename the whiskey in the early 20th century in accordance with the nickname that stuck.
In 1910, the family business was taken over by Willie Gloag, who made a significant contribution to the development of the company. By 1920, whiskey production had become the main activity of Matthew Gloag & Son Ltd.", 50 years later the company became part of Highland Distillers and expanded its line of drinks.
Despite the changes in management and product range, even after 20 years, the quality of The Famous Grouse whiskey remains exceptional, worthy of its founder.
The distillery is open to tourists and is one of the most popular places to visit among visitors to Scotland.
Features of the production of Family Graus whiskey
The company produces the best malt spirits for blends at the oldest Scottish distillery, Glenturret, located on the outskirts of Crieff in the Highlands. It was founded in the XVIII century. Many drinks include whiskeys "The Macallan" and "Highland Park".
The manufacturer uses selected grains and local spring water to make scotches. Aging is carried out in oak sherry and bourbon barrels, which bring roundness, richness of shades and sweetness to the blends.
In its work, the company is guided by the four F's:
Foundation
The company's specialists strictly adhere to the principles of quality and integrity in everything they do.
When selecting raw materials and barrels, composing blends and developing recipes for new drinks, they remember William Gloag's parting words: "only the best materials that can be purchased should be used in the manufacture of whiskey.".
Finest (superiority)
Matthew Gloag's descendants remember the goal of his endeavors - to create the best whisky in Scotland - and strive to achieve it at all costs.
Flavor
The process of making scotch is a real magic, in which the choice of the appropriate aging method is of great importance. Three categories of barrels are used to mature The Famous Grouse whiskey.
Focusing on a particular type of oak, the company's craftsmen "conjure up a bouquet", adding sweetness, a bright fruity note or a rich "toasted" hue to it.
Fusion
The "marriage" stage is the final stage of blended whiskey faceting, a complex process that requires virtuoso skill. The art of mixing is not for everyone, but the specialists of the "famous partridge" have mastered it to perfection. There is no need to rush: sometimes it takes several months to "lap" the spirits. But the result is worth it.
An overview of the flavors and types of Famous Partridge
The "noble partridge" collection includes 6 drinks of exceptional quality and 1 "exclusive variant" for residents of Europe and South Africa:
The Famous Grouse
The main product of the brand, a blended premium whiskey of a bright golden color. Aged in handmade barrels.
Nose: round, balanced, fruity. Main notes: oak, sherry, citrus fruits.
Aftertaste: long, dry, sweetish.
Good neat, on the rocks, in combination with ginger ale.
The Famous Grouse Smoky Black
Consists mainly of malt spirits, among which there is a rare version of "Glenturret". The inclusion of a small proportion of grain components provides the drink with a pleasant smoky accent.
Color: dark gold with a light brown tint.
Aroma: musky and smoky, soft, rich.
Nose: full, bright, with hints of spices, dried fruits and oak. Goes well with citrus fruits and cola.
The Black Grouse Alpha Edition
A mature, complex scotch of rich golden color with a high content of aged malt ingredients.
The aroma is dominated by notes of spices, orange peel, cinnamon, chocolate.
The deep flavor starts with sweet vanilla tones, gradually turning into shades of fresh pastries and desserts, finishing with a warming velvety smoke plume that velvety velvety smoke plume.
The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold
The famous honey-golden scotch combines whiskey from two types of barrels: rare, handmade Spanish sherry casks and charred American bourbon casks.
The result is a drink with a smooth, mellow character and a rich, deep flavor.
The bouquet is dominated by notes of orange and lemon peel, lychee, vanilla, spices, cedar and creme brulee.
Snow Grouse
Elegant, soft blended whiskey of straw color, created from selected grain spirits aged in oak barrels.
Before serving, the manufacturer recommends cooling the drink directly in the freezer.
Characteristic notes: creamy vanilla, honey, nutmeg, light notes of oak.
The finish is sweet and lingering.
The Famous Grouse 16 Year Old Vic Lee
A special aged scotch of a polished golden color that has been matured twice: in bourbon and sherry barrels.
Consists of 8 varieties of whiskey, carefully "married" for a long time, which allowed to reveal the full depth of flavors.
Sold in designer packaging created by illustrator Vic Lee.
The aroma is bright, with notes of caramel pear, vanilla sponge cake, black cherry and cedar.
The nose is spicy, silky, with hints of nutmeg, cinnamon and a lingering aftertaste.
The Famous Grouse - Personalized
A great gift option for a dear person: a drink with an individual design. The manufacturer will fill the bottle with an excellent blended premium whiskey and add a label signed in accordance with the wishes of the buyer ("Famous Thomas", "Famous Father", etc.).д.).
The bottle will cost £25. You can place an order directly on the official website, but the service is unfortunately not available for residents of Russia.
Naked Grouse
Selected whiskey created exclusively from malt spirits.
A bold aroma of cocoa, dried fruits and cherries shimmers with notes of orange peel. The elegant aftertaste has notes of iris and mint.
The taste is deep, with sweet and astringent playfulness of caramel malt. The second sip reveals a solid, voluminous tone of fragrant cinnamon.
The finish is dominated by dried apricots and prunes with hints of musk and dark chocolate.
How to distinguish a fake Famous Grouse whiskey
Bottle design
Most drinks, with the exception of the "black" and "snow" versions, should have the founder's signature or the "ESTD 1800" sign with or without a feather in the middle poured directly into the glass.
Exclusive versions are complemented by special three-dimensional signs: you can study the exact look of a particular bottle on the brand's official website.
Quality of the label
The presence of a branded "bird", bright color printing, no glue stains, uneven edges, or mistakes in the names are signs of genuine products.
Design of the cap
The design of this element of packaging can be different. The caps differ in color and design, but the side of the bottle always has an inscription.
It can be the letter "A", Matthew Gloag's handwriting and other signs.
The consistency of the drink
Real whiskey is thick, oily, bright in color, without signs of sediment and turbidity, forms large bubbles that do not burst for a long time when shaken.
It is better to buy alcoholic beverages in specialized stores. Before buying, make sure you have an excise stamp.
Update: 29.12.2019
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon