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.
As a former single malt snob, I've now seen the light and keep a couple of excellent blends on the shelf: the BNJ for smooth, sweet fruitiness and Johnnie Black for a little bit of smoke. I first discovered it while on the hunt for a lighter peaty dram to start with before working up to the Highland Park and Talisker. Couldn't believe how good it tasted for the €22 it cost me, so I started reading up on it. Imagine my delight when I found a clip on youtube of the late, great Christopher Hitchens describing it as "the best blended whisky in the history of the world" and so I'd have to agree - after all, who would dare argue with Hitch?
Gold label 18 seems to have disappeared also. Double Black tastes weird, probably grain in the mix since it has no age. Blue is noticeably better than Black - for 4x the price ! Black 12yr is still reliable, always satisfying with a dollop of water in a proper glass.
From a neat pour, exactly what I would expect from a blend; soft and silky smooth, and not too complex. There's a prominent peppery dryness that plays well with some of the sweeter notes, but the smoke is quickly lost amongst the spice. I found a bitter, grassiness that developed in the aftertaste let the experience fall flat. To each their own, as this has some good qualities. However, if given a choice in a blended whisky at this price point, I'd prefer a Dewar's White Label to this.
After the sad demise of the much loved Green Label, this is now their best blend. IMO it is better than all other JWs up to and including Blue Label. A very consistent and beautifully balanced blend. It's hard to believe that it contains 40 malts but Mortlach and Cardhu are prominent contributors with Talisker and Cardhu providing a little smoke. A word of warning - be careful when adding water (ice) as it quickly breaks-up. The 12 years maturation makes all the difference - Lovely stuff
The go-to Scotch. Complex, caramel, smoky. Johnnie Black never disappoints, and great value to boot. Drink it neat! In the words of Christopher Hitchens: "Mr Walker's Amber Restorative. Breakfast of champions."
