Review: The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold (vs standard)

FG_Mellow_HRThe Famous Grouse Mellow Gold – 40% abv

Info: The recipe has a higher proportion of sherry casks than standard Grouse to deliver a subtly sweeter, mellow flavour. More info here.
Colour: Autumn gold, a fair bit darker than the standard Famous Grouse blend.
Nose: Fairly sweet with quite a lot of sherry nuttiness about it. Vanilla along with red and green apples and a slight fudgeyness.
Palate: Actually a fairly thick mouthfeel leading to gently building spices, the red and green apples are there but held back somewhat.
Finish: Longer than expected leaving sweet notes lingering with younger oak winning out.
Thoughts: They’ve made it sweeter and mellower than standard Grouse, and it is indeed that. It’s easy drinking and perfectly fine on it’s own, but would also mix well I suspect.
Available: In shops from October, around £22… An upgraded Christmas pressy for a Grouse loving family member?


vs. The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky – 40% abv

Info: What’s there to say… most people will know this blend, or have at least seen it around.
Colour: On the lighter side of gold.
Nose: Semi sweet with a sour edge to it along with salt and pepper. Malt, grain and candyfloss.
Palate: Slightly sweeter than the nose, very easy going, tiny pinch of spice and a hint of smoke.
Finish: Short to medium with smoky hints and newer oak winning out with a tannin sour end.
Thoughts: It’s ok! I openly admit to not minding this blend, so much so that if I’m doing a set of tasting notes I’ll often warm my palate up with a slug of this to kick things off, cheap and cheerful.
Available: Everywhere, usually found on offer if you look around. Around £15.


Overall Thoughts: The Mellow Gold has noticeably more sherry influence which ain’t no bad thing; it helps bridge the gap to a more expensive tasting blend. For around £5 extra it’s probably worth it over standard Grouse if you see it. Note the updated branding.
Extra: SWB review of The Naked Grouse, which I’d probably pick over both of the above.

Thanks to Famous Grouse for the samples.

This entry was posted in Review, Whisky and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.