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.

A sweet blend. After drinking only single malts for several years, off-and-on. I decided after reading reviews from various sites including this one, to get a bottle of JW Black at the local Sams Club last night. Only $31.00 with a coaster set gift box. A decent 2013 price. Now I also have some nice coasters. I have to say I like JW Black, but to my palate, it is very sweet. To me, it's the Crown Royal of scotch. But it's good and enjoyable and easy. If you like Crown, I think you'll like this. I will keep a bottle in the supply chain from now on. I love the color, and as described by other reviewers above, it has lots of flavor, although it's a bit sweet for my preference, but it is good, and can be used as a decent and tasty example when sampling various scotches, especially for beginners. It's forgiving and friendly and smooth. If you are a beginning scotch enthusiast, it wouldn't hurt to start with this and move into single malts. If you are a scotch veteran, it would never hurt to have this in the collection just for the heck of it.
I've 5 of black labels bottles since over 25 years ago ... I wonder how it taste like or how much it cost now
When I was very young I never liked any whiskey,now though I'm forty five,still a novice I've tried other whiskeys but only AFTER trying JW,like others maybe I was curious to try it after the late great Christopher Hitchens had said it was his own particular favourite,I love it,the smokiness the richness the peat,I'll try others but right now this is for me,and I know nothing of the blenders art,but thanks to you and of course The Hitch.
The jump from the red to the black and the price point is the best bang for the buck. Beyond the black is a classic case of diminishing returns. The green, blue, gold and platinum are all amazing, but oye! The cost! The black is right in the pocket.
bang for buck best blend on the market. never leave home without it