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.
The new Green label tastes totally different to the previous version. Very disappointed.
Seriously the best of the JW coloured range. Not quite the amazing and flavourful beast that the Green of old was, but a welcome return of a favourite and still punching well above its price range. Certainly an excellent vatted malt and with single malts becoming rarer and more expensive stands to become a standard house tipple for those who appreciate good whisky.
I was a long-time fan of the JW Black... until I discovered Green. Fell in love at the first sip and it's been my go-to ever since. Still can't believe how cheap it is for the quality - nice to see it sweep the board at the INTERNATIONAL WHISKY COMPETITION 2016 awards! Sweet, and smoky complexity: I've got 6 tucked away in storage just in case they discontinue it again.
Many people rated the previous incarnation of JW Green in hallowed terms and some say that the new expression is inferior. I can only comment on this new version, which is a solid blended malt (an oft underrated category in my opinion) but hardly special. There is a good dose of smoke on the nose and infused with the palate, presumably by virtue of the Talisker and Caol Ila influences. There is also a healthy whiff of sulphur - not the rank guff acquired from tainted sherry casks but the milder cordite influence that indicates less copper contact during the distillation process. Upon checking, yes, Cragganmore distillery uses the old-style wormtub condensers. I understand this results in a robust, full-bodied whisky with a honey-sweet edge and all those characteristics are certainly true of this expression. The finish has good length too. However the wood and spice are a bit of a bludgeon. At 15 years of age, I'd like a touch more maturity and subtlety.
All the character is washed out to not disturb anyone, a trick learned from Coca-Cola. This whisky is no different and not worth the price. Stick to real single malts and drink slower. (Come to think of it, this might be improved with a splash of Coca-Cola.)
