Naked Malt

Sherry finish. Smooth, complex, balanced. Favorably compares to $60+ Highland or Speyside bottles from the likes of Glenlivet, Glendronach, Glenfiddich, & Macallan. Nose: peaches, green apple, coffee, vanilla, raisin bran, custard, leather, faint citrus (lemon?). Palate: creamy mouthfeel, light baking spice, honey, the faintest whiff of peat, green apple.

Would you believe me if i tell you that after having tasted 931 whiskies, i realized that i have never had a Naked Grouse from the Famous "Famous Grouse"? Well that is no longer an issue for me since i had it already. And guess what, i liked it a lot. Bottled at 43%abv. On the nose, it is very bourbonish; Banana and fancy, very fancy red fruit syrup. Caramel and floral. Cherry syrup, this is so syrupy. Thick Honey and Apricot peel. Some prunes after a couple of sips. On the palate, Honey, peaches and mild saltiness. Fruit spices if that even exists. Apricot peel. Aftertaste, it had a wonderful stack of hay, best hay/tobacco leaf note ever. Very cowboy. Western. Very interesting aftertaste. Refined hay. Overall, i dont think this one is expensive, nor rare, but man, it was very rewarding. It is the most "bourbonish" scotch ever. I dont usually tend to like this type of drams, but Naked Grouse is so well delivered, that i truly enjoyed it.  My score for it was a solid 86 over 100.

Nothing special, no real complexity to be found here, but it adequately scratches the itch for an easygoing sherried scotch. Great value at thirtyish bucks.