Episode 8: Naked Malt

The Pot Still Column: Episode 8

Naked Malt Blended Malt Scotch

Proof: 86

Age: NAS (3+ Years)

Finish: Sherry Casks

Source: The Famous Grouse (sourced blend of The Macallan, Glenrothes, Glenturret, and Highland Park)

Price: $29.99

The Famous Grouse is a brand owned by the Edrington Group, an international whiskey conglomerate behind enormous brands such as The Macallan, Highland Park, Noble Oak, and Wyoming Whiskey. Naked Malt is the rebranded version of Naked Grouse, a Famous Grouse sub-brand that was retired in in 2021. I'll skip over Edrington's explanation for the change, as I find it to be an uninspiring attempt to romanticize what was just a standard brand reimaging.

Naked Malt is reportedly a blend of several well-known single malt scotches, some of which include The Macallan, Highland Park, Glenturret, and Glenrothes. The whisky is bottled at 86 proof, somewhat standard for scotch, and bears no age statement beyond the 3-year legal requirement. The scotch is finished in "naked" sherry butts, meaning first-fill sherry casks that have not seen other whisky. The color is surprisingly dark, especially for a scotch, which could be the product of the sherry finishing or artificial coloring. Other Edrington brands such as The Macallan have been known to use artificial dyes such as E-150 to darken their products, so it would not be a stretch to assume that they've done the same with this budget offering. There is much contention about the use of artificial coloring in scotch, but I happen to think it adds to the experience. Whether it comes from a place of reason or not, a dark, rich-looking scotch tends to put me in a better mindset and fill me with greater expectations than a light one. For the quality provided at the ridiculous price of $29.99, they could color it purple and I wouldn't care.

On the nose, this is a buttery sherry bomb with notes of overripe strawberry. I can tell from the first whiff that I adore the scent of this whisky. This is the kind of sherry presence that I wish many higher-end, higher proof scotches contained in their aromas. There is nothing particularly complex about the nose--- it is a simple but very rich sherry finished malt.

The taste leaves something to be desired, putting it plainly. It simply cannot live up to the robustness of the smell, and the scotch falls a little flat, lacking any sort of clarity or direction. Is it enjoyable? Yes, this is an absolutely crushable whisky that would function perfectly as a worry-free pour with friends while directing one's attention elsewhere. The proof is low, but not so low that it washes away all sense of character.

Closing Impression:

As far as budget scotches go, this is an excellent choice for scotch drinkers of any caliber. At less than $30 for 750ml, there is little that I can say to truly criticize the whisky. This could certainly be a competitor for best-in-class, showing quality that outshines many of its contemporaries by significant margin. Rather than detracting from the whisky, the low proof helps establish Naked Malt's status as a "crushable" whisky, excellent for mindless but enjoyable sipping during family gatherings, sports events, or barbeques. For the price, this is a bottle to own.

Nose: 92/100

Taste: 68/100

Finish: 70/100

Overall: 77/100