The Black grouse wins award

Press release issued 8th August 2008

The Black Grouse, has been awarded a Gold medal in the Scotch whisky category at this year's International Spirits Challenge (ISC), just two months after The Famous Grouse, Scotland's favourite whisky, launched it into UK.

The well-respected awards bring together the industry's leading international spirits experts to rigorously test nearly 1000 spirits from around the globe, and recognise only those that demonstrate highly skilled distilling techniques and a strong commitment to quality and innovation.

The Black Grouse is a unique blend of The Famous Grouse with added Islay malts to create a rich smoky, peaty taste with a long, smooth finish. 

Gerry O'Donnell, director of The Famous Grouse, said: ?We are absolutely delighted that
The Black Grouse has been recognised by the ISC, beating off stiff competition.

"We are seeing a trend towards more challenging whiskies and flavours and we feel The Black Grouse delivers this on all levels. It gives drinkers keen to embrace a richer peated whisky the opportunity to try this from a trusted premium brand."

As part of the UK launch, The Famous Grouse brand owner, has taken the unprecedented step of forming a partnership with the RSPB to help save its namesake, the black grouse, from extinction. For every bottle sold a donation of 50 pence will go directly to the RSPB to fund urgently required conservation work on up to 85,000 acres of land in Scotland, England and Wales.

The Black Grouse whisky, which was originally launched in Sweden in April 2007, is already an award winning whisky, having been listed as The Best New Scotch Blended Whisky in Jim Murray's 2008 Whisky Bible. It was also awarded a Silver Medal for best Premium Blend at this year?s Scotch Whisky Masters.

The Black Grouse is now in pubs, clubs and bars throughout the country and is available exclusively at Sainsbury's (priced at £15.49) before going on general release in January.