I can drink Famous Grouse, but one can do better with Kirkland Signature 12-Year Blended at $38 a handle in SC at Costco. Or for 30% more than FG snag some Monkey Shoulder and never look back.
I'm not sure after browsing the thread what the OP does not like about Scotch. I lean more toward the Highland and Speyside which are less smoky than the other variants, but on occasion do like a Caol Isla or the like. I did not care for the raw oak character of Auchentoshan American Oak and Aberfeldy has an odd banana alcohol vibe which I find off-putting. OTOH Balvenie Double Wood 12 year is fantastic. I don't turn anything Macallan away either.
The Black Grouse was oddly phenolic and seemed forced, and the ridiculously low priced handle of Kirkland Signature Blended 80 proof at $18 had the same phenolic for the first few pours and then became a better glass IMO than Famous Grouse.
If one wants to ease into Scotch without any appreciable peat then I suggest you try to find a bottle of Alexander Murray Bon Accord which at $24 is boring, but the next thing you know the bottle is empty or a bottle of Suntory Toki Japanese Whiskey which is $30 at NCABC stores.
