Blended
Scotland
Johnnie Walker Black Label has a long history. It dates back to the late 19th century when John Walker & Sons of Kilmarnock had three blends in ascending order of age and price: Old Highland, Special Old Highland, and Extra Special Old Highland. These had white, red, and black labels respectively, and were known by their colour. Then in 1906, the three blends were relaunched as White Label, a five year old, Red Label, a nine year old, and Black Label, a 12 year old.
While Red Label would lose its age statement and White Label disappear altogether, Black Label is still a 12 year old blend – though it did go through a phase without an age statement. Its prestige status was trumped with the launch of the super swanky Blue Label in the late 1980s, but Black Label has never lost its cache. Across the world today, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is a recognised currency and symbol of excellence.
The classic 12 Year Old Black Label is a blend majoring on Diageo’s Four Corners of Scotland distilleries Clynelish in the Highlands, Cardhu on Speyside, malt from Glenknichie and grain from Cameronbridge with a little smoke from Caol Ila.
Winter spice and treacle, hints of white pepper and a little citrus.
Rich and full with notes of wood smoke and dry spice, hints of barley and cereal with creamy toffee and a distinct herbal note.
Quite fruity and long with a note of sultanas and mixed peels.

I get a lot of smoke in the nose and in the taste. But it isn’t pleasant medicinal type smoke, it’s more bonfire smoke. I believe this is the Caol Ila coming through quite strong. There’s an aftertaste resembling if I’d chewed on a piece of bark. I’m afraid this is ok for the cost but there are better age statement whiskies out there if you save $5-10 more and pay the cost for a higher quality whisky/whiskey.
I have never been a big Johnny Walker Black fan. I always thought there were just better Scotch Whiskies for the money. My son bought me a bottle for Christmas and I poured myself a dram and I almost fell off my chair. It was nothing short of brilliant. I drink Teachers for my daily Scotch, but love my single malts. I have tried many Scotchs in the $50-$75 range with Macallan being my favorite. I absolutely fell in love with the Johnny Walker Black! It was smooth with a big taste, maybe huge with a wonderful finish. Everyone can laugh at me, but I just fell in love with JW Black! Man is this stuff good!
I don’t know how this bottle continues to get publicity and fame because it is the most overrated whiskey in the world. The only reason I have a bottle of it is because I know other people are dumb enough to like it. Johnnie Gold on the other hand, now you’re talking about good whiskey...
The best go to scotch on the market. Smooth and inviting like an old friend.
Great blend ,smooth from start to finish one of Scotland's finest looks good tastes good and does you good