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.
Medicinal on the nose with some orange and raisins. Viscous and a little watery in the mouth with a hint of Grain. A mild alcohol burn kicks in and intensifies a little in the back of the mouth. Ends with a little bitterness which masks some of the dark fruit and spices at the finish. Clearly a benchmark blend, a notch above the supermarket shelf bottlings and their usual harshness, due no doubt to the decent amounts of quality Single Malt they put in. Subtle Grains are ever-present giving it a richness but blended mouthfeel.
Got used to single malts bottled at higher proof, but this is reliable to drink at your average bar or restaurant when anything better will cost too much or is just not available. A little sweet, some Islay peat, smooth finish, but the 80 proof is a little soft and light for my grown up tastes hahaha Fair value. I haven't noticed the inconsistency others have mentioned but maybe I don't drink this one often enough.
The best scotch bang for buck, and second best whiskey bang for buck out there, eclipsed only by Woodford Reserve (bourbon). Cheap and readily available enough you don't feel guilty going through a bottle quickly.
I am a whiskey and bourbon fan, Tried JW black for the first time and really like it. Unbeatable for the price. A beautiful drink. Thanks.
The initial burst of high octane funny car fuel is moderated by a hint of nutmeg and flame-blackened white oak barrels. Accented by remnant of Eagle Scout campfire, the finish is pure '50s-style ethyl. In a word--invigorating! Or as Stan Lee of Marvel Comics fame might say, "Excelsior! Refuel me again!" Stan's assistant to his *own assistant: "Write all this down, Smedley. Stan's newest Marvel Superhero is going to drink this s*** for breakfast."
