Sign up to our newsletter
Special offers, recommendations and expert advice to your inbox! Unsubscribe at any time.
I agree to the Privacy Policy
Special offers, recommendations and expert advice to your inbox! Unsubscribe at any time.
I agree to the Privacy Policy
Over 30,000 5 star reviews!
On orders over £99
The lowest prices on your favourite spirits!
Trusted by businesses worldwide
Get a response within seconds
Select Express Delivery at the checkout!
1000s of samples available
Johnnie Walker
Scotland
Blended
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 think it tastes more like bourbon than it does scotch. I like 12 year old Dewar’s better. But neither come close to a good single malt.
A couple of weeks ago I received a bottle of "Highland Origins". It was lovely. So I thought that maybe, just maybe, JW had got their act together again. So I bought a std Black Label. I wish I hadn't. Dewar's White Label is now much better than this thin, acidic, 90% grain whisky. I truly hope that some of the poor souls giving this modern insult five star reviews can be lucky enough to taste a vintage bottle. Actually, that would just be cruel.
For the price range, it is one of the smoothest and richest whiskies you can get in the market, it is full-bodied with a medium-long finish and a slight hint of smoke that doesn't overwhelm the palette but binds together sweet, spicy and creamy aromas.
Similar to a Highland Park 12 year old malt. Smokey Oak on palate with pineapple / Baked apple finish.
A lovely dark smokey whisky to enjoy whilst reminiscing good old times with friends