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 love this drink, as complex and good as anything under £50 (tho I do have a soft spot for lavagulin and laphroaig) this is my go to, with the smokier varieties a special treat. Smooth, creamy, with a lovely hint of toffee, this should be in everyone's bar. And it's great for guests who won't appreciate your more expensive malts!
I nearly always have one of these in the cabinet. There's something very comforting about JW Black. It's not overly complex but has a beautiful balance of sweetness and smoke. It's like an old friend you can always rely on.
As the title says. This is the house scotv
..a bottle of this stuff in my cabinet. This is one of the best bottles of whisky money can buy. Come back to it when you tired of trying other single malts and compare it and decide which way you want to go next...
I was never a great fan of the blended though this is a master class. Smooth to drink and I have to say one of my now favourite tipples. Great body, good smoke, though not too much. All in all a Silky fruity number with a hint of spice. Superbly balanced with no bite - an truly amazing whisky and this is from a stalwart single drinker. If you have not tried then I wholeheartedly recommend.
