The Naked Grouse is not any blended whiskey. Prior to the selection being tasted, tested and snuffed for thousands of dishes from all of Scotland. The goal is to find fade that has enough character strength for the purpose – for a strong dish is not just about alcohol percentage, it is also about character. Therefore, among other things, Premium single malts such as Highland Park, Glenturret and The Macallan in the manufacture of The Naked Grouse.
First, the selected maltwhiskies are carefully mixed, after which they are filled on so-called ‘Naked Casks’. The fades are naked because it is the first time they filled whiskey. But they have earned an important purpose in advance. They have been used to store Sherry – and welcome sherry that has character enough to match the whiskey: rich, dark and sweet Oloroso-sherry, hanging in the wood fibers long after the liquid is tapped. The Naked Grouse is stored for six months on these naked dishes, and this is where the magic arises. Imagine we had left Ewan McGregor and Penelope Cruz alone in a closed room for six months …
