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.
Just recently revisited a Bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label bought in 2018. My previous experiences with this blend have been favorable, due to the smoothness and mild peat character of the blend. Upon nosing this blend large citrus notes, with vanilla and a slight iodine note become apparent. On the palate there is no heavy oak of the cheaper red label (as expected for an upscale blend), but a fine balance of fruits, nuttiness and a mild charcoal peat smoke. The finish continues with peat smoke, heather, honey and citrus touches from the body. Not peated as I remember but still impressive. Johnnie Walker is a perfect sipping whisky that even single malt aficionados respect. I recommend this to everyone as a measuring bar for drinkability for both blends and single malts. I give this an 87/100. Great accessible way to enjoy Islay flavors for those unfamiliar with peated whiskys or Scotch in general.
I have had, and still have several, of the most popular and expensive single malt whiskys available. My choice for a delicious, smooth and accessible evening dram is Johnnie Walker Black. It’s a classic for a reason! The only people that would refer to it as a bad drink are “Scotch Snobs” that use an expensive single malt as a social status.
Awfully nice (complex, smooth) but way smokier / peatier than in the past, same as Dewar's, wonder what marketing person thought this accent was important ... for younger drinkers? To associate w/ single-malts? Weird and a little excessive, to my mind, and experience of drinking JWB for over 50y. Ignore all comments that call it mass junk, etc. Ignorant.
But that's not saying much. It's mass produced inconsistent and chances are if you don't like Johnnie red your not going to like black either.
THE NECTAR OF THE GODS!
