Single malt? How about no malt?

[Legion]

I am currently sipping at a glass of Snow Grouse. Snow Grouse is a bended grain whisky by Matthew Gloag & Sons Ltd, the Famous Grouse people. I guess it is supposed to be the third point in the FG triumvirate. Famous, Black, and Snow. It's interesting, smooth, and not unpleasant... But it ain't scotch. I don't think....

According to the label you are supposed to drink it chilled, like out of the freezer chilled, like a vodka. But I couldn't do that, not for my first tasting. So I am drinking it at (cold) room temp right the noo. I'll chuck the bottle in the freezer for the morrow.

Any of you guys tried it? What do you think?

 

[cody6766]

I haven't had it, but for a producer to recommend drinking it from the freezer, they have to know it's flawed. Drinking something that cold kills a lot of the flavors that would otherwise come through (as you're drinking it). Over chilling is a good fix for crappy wine and beer for the same reason.

 

[JazzyJ]

I haven't had it, but for a producer to recommend drinking it from the freezer, they have to know it's flawed. Drinking something that cold kills a lot of the flavors that would otherwise come through (as you're drinking it). Over chilling is a good fix for crappy wine and beer for the same reason.

+1

I've never tried anything from that brand, but I've never seen a distiller recommend serving it that chilled before. Usually the only serving direction I see is the addition of a few drops of water.

Im curious though. I'll have to see if any place around here carries it.

And David, I just saw your signature. No kidding, I would kill for a Laphroaig AS. I'll occasionally open the bottle at the bar I work at when it's slow and just stick my nose in it. Absolutely fantastic.

 

[Legion]

I'm drinking it right out of the freezer now. It changes the mouth feel a lot, and pretty much kills any nose it had.

But... it's not too bad. I can see myself have the odd super cold glass in the summer. It's interesting anyway. I'll stick to the regular famous grouse by preference, it is about my favourite budget scotch. But I don't forsee any issues with making the contents of this bottle disappear.


Oh, and Reandymator, I can still read your deleted posts. LOL.

 

[jcborr00]

I am currently sipping at a glass of Snow Grouse. Snow Grouse is a bended grain whisky by Matthew Gloag & Sons Ltd, the Famous Grouse people. I guess it is supposed to be the third point in the FG triumvirate. Famous, Black, and Snow. It's interesting, smooth, and not unpleasant... But it ain't scotch. I don't think....

According to the label you are supposed to drink it chilled, like out of the freezer chilled, like a vodka. But I couldn't do that, not for my first tasting. So I am drinking it at (cold) room temp right the noo. I'll chuck the bottle in the freezer for the morrow.

Any of you guys tried it? What do you think?

True Single malt scotch is:

From Scotland and aged in one distillery using the old "pot distilling method". Even Johnny Walker Blue is not a true scotch, but a blend and aged in multiple distilleries.. PM me if you would like some good suggestions for any liquor. ( I am a manager for Total Wine & More here in the USA)

I found the Grouse to be better chilled and with a splash a spring water. ( Water brings out the flavor)

 

[Shantytownbrown]

Its listed as a Blended Grain Scotch Whiskey...(minimum 30%malt the balance "corn" whiskey, as you all probably know already), i fear this may be on the "minimum" side, especially if they want you to "expose it to the Arctic conditions of your freezer"; I do find the gloopy thick and sweet mouthfeel description intriguing, so would be interested if you have experienced this...not sure I can bring this into the house though...SWMBO just took a job with Diageo...!

 

[Jerryz]

@jcborro - there are some extremely good single malt Japanese scotches out there.

 

[Legion]

@jcborro - there are some extremely good single malt Japanese scotches out there.

I think it is more a terminology thing. By definition all scotch comes from Scotland. From anywhere else it is a Whiskey (with an e).

 

[CptBlueBear]

I think it is more a terminology thing. By definition all scotch comes from Scotland. From anywhere else it is a Whiskey (with an e).

We (Aussies) and the Japanese spell it without the "e", as do the Kiwis. I think it probably comes down to whether you got the Irish or Scottish traditions. Otherwise correct: its not scotch if it wasn't distilled and aged in Scotland.

I'm not sure where the rules fall on Scottish grain whisky - if its pure grain spirit I've always seen it labelled as such, never as scotch. I presume there is a minimum barely spirit content set down in law. JW Blue is blended scotch containing a proportion of barley and other grain spirit, but still scotch all the same.

 

[Shantytownbrown]

here's everything you need to know about scotch whisky laws...as of 2009..rather than regurg it, and bore all, i'll share and those who wish can peruse...

http://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/media/12744/scotchwhiskyregguidance2009.pdf?Action=download

 

[chris.hale]

Thank you for posting that, very interesting read.

 

[Doc4]

True Single malt scotch is:

From Scotland and aged in one distillery using the old "pot distilling method". Even Johnny Walker Blue is not a true scotch, but a blend and aged in multiple distilleries..

It's not a true "single malt" scotch, but it certainly is a true scotch. (I suspect you were meaning to say "single malt"?)

I think it is more a terminology thing. By definition all scotch comes from Scotland. From anywhere else it is a Whiskey (with an e).

Scotland uses "whisky".
Ireland uses "whiskey".

Some countries (like Canada) use the Scottish spelling; some (like the USA) use the Irish.

 

[jcborr00]

It's not a true "single malt" scotch, but it certainly is a true scotch. (I suspect you were meaning to say "single malt"?)



Scotland uses "whisky".
Ireland uses "whiskey".

Some countries (like Canada) use the Scottish spelling; some (like the USA)

Any way whisky or whiskey is spelled is technically correct. The Japanese whisky market has boomed since yamizaki received such great reviews and it's difficult to find in my area.