You know The Famous Grouse. This is its moody, smoky cousin. Pour a measure and you get russet gold in the glass, then a wave of campfire smoke, dark fruit and toffee that settles into a long, warm finish. It is bold without being a punch in the face, which makes it the bottle you reach for on a cool Nairobi night when you want something with a bit of weight to it. Late night, good company, no occasion needed.
First whiff is that earthy peat smoke, like a forest after rain, with honey, toffee and a twist of orange peel sitting underneath. On the palate it goes sweet and oily, salted caramel and vanilla, a little dark fruit, then the smoke rolls in proper and turns warm and earthy. The finish hangs around with dark chocolate and a dry curl of peat. It is smoky, but friendly smoky, not a peat monster. Easy to love even if Islay usually scares you.
The details
Pairs well with
Where it's from
This is Scotch, made by the team behind The Famous Grouse, Scotland's long-running favourite blend. The Alpha Edition keeps the classic Grouse backbone of malts like Glenturret, Macallan and Highland Park, then leans much harder on peated Islay whisky to crank up the smoke. Think of it as the Grouse turning up the campfire. It later got rebranded as Famous Grouse Smoky Black, so if you've seen that, it's the same idea in a different jacket.
Quick questions
- What is the price of The Black Grouse Alpha Edition 700ml?
The Black Grouse Alpha Edition 700ml is KSh 3,599 at Oaks & Corks. Order online for fast delivery across Nairobi, usually within the hour, or next day countrywide.
- What does The Black Grouse Alpha Edition 700ml taste like?
Earthy peat smoke on the nose with honey and orange peel, then a sweet, oily palate of salted caramel, vanilla and dark fruit, finishing long with dark chocolate and warm smoke. Smoky but approachable, not overpowering.
- What is the ABV of The Black Grouse Alpha Edition?
It's 40% ABV, standard strength for a blended Scotch.
- How do I serve it?
Neat in a tumbler at room temperature, or with a splash of water or a big ice cube to open it up. It also works in a whisky and soda or a smoky Old Fashioned.
- What pairs with The Black Grouse Alpha Edition?
Smoky, grilled food is the perfect match. Think nyama choma, ribs, mature hard cheeses, dark chocolate or biltong.
- Where is it from and who makes it?
It's a blended Scotch whisky from Scotland, made by the people behind The Famous Grouse, with extra peated Islay malt for the smoke.
- Is this the same as Famous Grouse Smoky Black?
Essentially yes. The Black Grouse blend was later rebranded as Famous Grouse Smoky Black. Same smoky idea, different label.
The Black Grouse Alpha Edition 700ml
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The Black Grouse Alpha Edition 700ml price in Kenya
Buy The Black Grouse Alpha Edition 700ml online in Nairobi, Kenya for KSh 3,599. Order now for fast delivery across Nairobi — usually within 30 minutes — or next-day delivery countrywide.