Scotland
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a blended malt made entirely with single malts from the four corners of Scotland and aged for at least 15 years. It's one of the best bargains in Scotch whisky and a favourite among bartenders.
The nose is quite rich and full. There are notes of mochaccino and espresso coffee, wood smoke and a fireplace, as well as a touch of bitter chocolate and oak.
The palate has a medium-body with notes of crisp cereals, coffee beans and chocolate, a date note with a touch of walnut.
The finish is quite long and spicy with honeyed sweetness and oak.
My favorite of all the JW range that I have tried (those attainable without needing to take out a loan).
I never expected Johnnie Walker whisky to taste so nice maybe because I start with the wrong foot. My first taste of JW was the Red Label which I remember some 30 years was rather unpleasant. It has the oaky note that doesn't gel very well with the lightweight maltiness-at least it doesn't work for me. Being a vatted malt whisky, the Green Label has complex notes and a decent dose of smoke. Very enjoyable and it restored my faith in JW. I have also tasted the Black Label which sits between the Red and Green Label. I have not tried the Blue Label but my friends tell me not to bother given it's price. Green Label has become my "go-to" sipping whisky because I find most single malts are over priced. Don't get me wrong, they are tasty especially The Macallans and Bowmore but a tad too expensive to be your daily dram during wintry nights. I have a collection of single malts that I drink if I want something special. People tell me the Island Green is even better. I'll get some when I next travel.
When I opened the bottle, I was very excited, it smelt amazing. Sweet and smokey like a Black Label but more complex. The initial taste was very good, with fruity spice but the finish completely ruined it for me, there's a very unpleasant pepper aftertaste which is really bitter. Also, after a few sips I began to find the mix of flavours also a bit nauseating. Not as good as Black Label in my opinion but each to their own.
Forget the overpriced Blue Label; this is the jewel of the Johnnie Walker stable.
Pleasant nose, nay, exquisite nose. Complex palate, woody, a tad sweet.
