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.

Having decided I didn't like scotch a few years ago, I recently decided to give this a try for no other reason as Hitchens planted curiosity. Tried it with a splash of Perrier and have to say it's not all that bad. None of the overpowering burn I used to get and quite a nice toasted, sweet flavour. Fruity after taste. I decided against any ice, so it remained really aromatic. I shall buy a big bottle of this, as I just tried a miniature to start with. Hitch will be happy to know he was, yet again, quite right. Although I'm sure he knew that already.
The old stand by. Even if you don't like blends it still satisfies. Always bet on black! Yeah!
I MST say this is lovely I don't like peat until Now this is amazing and when it is on offer well worth it at full prices hmmmmmmmmm
great blend, great price. only thing better is the JW GOLD or blue.
I have just recently gotten out of my teenage years and my college buddy gave me a bottle of this and double black as a birthday gift and graduation gift, respectively. Although I did have my share of (cheap) scotch back in high school and college, I never really went out of my way to buy a bottle with my own money. So this was my first time to actually take my time and enjoy Black. (For me, at least) It was amazing, no burn at all, went down my throat like cream, and nothing about it was overpowering. This, along with Chivas 12, became the gateway for my interest in scotch. -M.G. (MNL, Philippines)