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 don't understand why this is so popular. For price I think it isn't well balanced, and neither does it have much character. Better blends for less money. Spend a bit more and get green label or if you like a bit of smoke and peat go for double black.
I had a mini bottle of it that I picked up at a party and to be honest, it stinks. I feel like if you want to drink to get sloppy drunk or angry then yes go for it. but if you're looking for something to sip on while you work on that project, grab a beer or something else instead. I guess for me, i'm not a whisky guy although I am trying to get into it, I just can't with this stuff. i don't care if it gives you the same type of buzz. I want to enjoy my beverage.
Really, I’ve read two reviews on this Scotch and both were different so here’s my honest evaluation from a novice Scotch drinker. The taste reminds me of the smell of an old box of bandaids from my childhood. Ah memories. The second glass is so tasty it’s hard to stop. It’s just pure mellow peaty.
I added a few drops of Fuji water and everything improved
Smooth, medium peaty, drinkable, satisfying, reliable blend. Understated, not showy. Good for every day. Perhaps a little sedate in a world of new super peated young malts and the like, but not worse for it. I give it five because there's something "right" about it and I keep coming back to it.
