Murray's Retaste Notes Today for Black Grouse Alpha

[Quaich1]

Decided to do retaste notes on Black Grouse Alpha Edition, 40% abv, which I have not had for a while.

Color-Ordinary Amber

Nose: Black Forest cake meets peat with cherries, chocolate and smoke wafting from the olfactory chimney. Black licorice and blackball candy ignite. Anise pizzelle wafers dance around with thin layers of citrus marmalade and Bassett's all-sorts. Late cloves and a sachet of Mediterranean spices.

Taste: Medium to full-bodied, heavy spice, Kalamata olive juice, chili flakes and oaky tannins in the shadows.

Finish: Lingering, smoke and creme brulee. Fireplace remembrances with a pile of fresh ash and charred wood.

Comments: The Black Grouse Alpha Scottish blend is a satisfying dram which harkens to spending an afternoon in the drawing room and library, contemplating life, past, present and future or something you might order at a cafe in Casablanca. The intensity on the palate belies the 40% abv.

***Jim Murray describes this one as heavily sulfured. Based on my experience today with this expression, I do not agree at all.


Rating: 82.5
_________________
"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)

[Lennox]

I tasted this quite recently when visiting a friend and would agree with you Murray, it is not heavily sulphured. Of course Jim Murray could have sampled it years ago when it was released, things change and batches can be different. Great note by the way, cheers.