Edrington, formerly known as The Edrington Group, is a privately owned international spirits company based in Scotland. Brands in their portfolio include: The Macallan Whisky, Highland Park Whisky, The Glenrothes Whisky, The Famous Grouse blended Whisky and
Naked Grouse blended malt Whisky
The Famous Grouse whisky is a blended Scotch whisky brand, first produced by Matthew Gloag & Son. Owned and produced by The Edrington Group, this famous blend is made up of various well-known distilleries. Most notably whisky from The Macallan, The Glenrothes and Highland Park.
In addition to my regular single malt favourites, I add a blended whisky to my tasting schedule to spice things up now and again. Last year, this led me to the Black Grouse whisky, which I loved and I paired with some spicy Indian food. On reading up about the Grouse brand, I noted that they made a Naked Grouse blended Scotch whisky.
A lot has been written about the Macallan distillery and brand. Some people love it; some people hate it. Many stories about it exist; some true, some not quite. It often makes the ‘Most Expensive whisky’ lists. It is a polarizing whisky and distillery. John loves it. I find it pretentious and old-fashioned. Regardless of my personal view, let’s try the Macallan 15 year old Fine Oak single malt Scotch whisky.
Today I taste one of John’s favourites, the Macallan 12 year old single malt Scotch whisky. The Macallan has managed to position their whisky in the premium whisky category. It has not been without controversy, especially around their antique collection.
Time for a blended whisky again – the Black Grouse blended Scotch whisky. The Famous Grouse whisky is a brand of blended Scotch whisky, first produced by Matthew Gloag & Son in 1896. The brand is now produced and owned by The Edrington Group.
I was having lunch at Bottega Cafe in a suburb called Parkhurst in Johannesburg. I asked Savi (the owner) to recommend a whisky to pair with my lunch, and he suggested the Glenrothes. It was my first encounter with The Glenrothes Robur Reserve single malt Scotch whisky.