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.
Every discerning adult must needs develop a lifelong friendship with at least one mass-produced spirit of reasonable price. Such a friendship will provide relief and solace in any overseas bar or questionable tavern, and allow one to glide through duty-free shops, friend in hand, without dithering. Johnnie Walker Black Label is among the most charming candidates. Available absolutely everywhere following Diageo's incessant pushing of the brand, eminently affordable, and most importantly, entirely delicious. Savour this whisky on the front palate for luxurious caramelised date character, milk chocolate, and orange peel. Sip it with all the daintiness you can muster, as this is a masculine whisky, and it will singe your back palate if you gulp it too greedily. Malts can be wonderful, and transcendent, but as a loyal companion - through fair weather and foul - there aren't many that can hold a candle to old Johnnie Walker Black.
I love this black lebel,
The best whisky in the world and the best selling in the world
JW Black is proof that single malt snobbery doesn't pay. This truly is wonderful stuff. Luscious caramel and vanilla more than make up for the thin graininess on the palate IMHO. Talisker fans, in particular, should give Black Label a try.
Its a whisky with a bit of everything in it. I got my bottle for £15 and can comfortably and enjoyable drink it neat or with ice on a hot day(it is a blend after all). Sure there is a grain whisky texture to it but it does take you on a taste journey. Buy it when its on offer or if you cant buy affordable malt where you live. I much prefer their green label 15 blended malts bottling at 43% and if you want a diago malt go for lagavulin 16 if you like the tcp medicinal smoke side of things in a stronger hit.
