Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker Green Label Scotch Whisky Review

Johnnie Walker Green Label is the odd one of the bunch.  It is a blended malt whisky, whereas all other Johnnie Walker whiskies are blended whiskies.  Blended whiskies contain malt and grain whiskies.  Blended malt whiskies are strictly a blend of malt whiskies.  There’s no grain whisky to be found in this bottle.  A quick internet search reveals Johnnie Walker Green Label is a mix of Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore and Caol Ila single malts, all aged at least 15 years.  In late 2013, Diageo, owners of the Johnnie Walker brand, announced a discontinuation of Green Label to all markets except Taiwan.  In 2015, Johnnie Walker Green Label started showing up on shelves here in the U.S. in small numbers.  This could be a limited run, however, as JW Green isn’t listed as part of the Johnnie Walker lineup on their website.

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Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas – 2015 Edition

Haven’t picked up a gift for the old man yet?  With Father’s Day just a few days away, I thought I’d give some whiskey and whiskey-related gift recommendations, in no particular order.  I’ve linked to a full review where available.

Whiskey

  • Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2015-02 – Big bourbon flavors in this barrel-proof offering from Jim Beam. $55
  • George Dickel No. 12 Tennessee Whisky – A no-nonsense whisky with caramel, vanilla and oak flavors. $30
  • Forged Oak Bourbon – A limited release from Orphan Barrel, but still available, bourbon that’s big on oak. $65
  • Alberta Rye Whisky Dark Batch – A little added sherry gives this Canadian rye whisky an interesting flavor profile. $30
  • The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year Old Single Malt Scotch – A full review coming later.  This is a great transition to Scotch for the bourbon drinker.  The rum cask maturation really sweetens things up. $65
  • Johnnie Walker Platinum Label – Full review coming in a few weeks.  One of Johnnie Walker’s newest releases, this 18 year old expression turns up the fruit and adds a little smokiness.  $99
  • Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon – A robust 100 proof bourbon full of caramel, spice and fruit. Look out for a barrel proof version from your liquor store.  $50

Whiskey-related

  • Bourbon Empire by Reid Mitenbuler – A great read.  Mitenbuler covers bourbon’s history, unraveling those tall tales we read about all the time. $19 at amazon.
  • Glencairn Whisky Glass – There’s no better way to nose and appreciate whisky than drinking out of a Glencairn glass.  It’s how I sample my whisky. glencairnwhiskyglass.com
  • Tovolo Ice Sphere Mold – Looks cool in your glass, but more importantly the ice dilutes very slowly.  tovolo.com

Johnnie Walker Double Black Scotch Whisky Review

Johnnie Walker Double Black

Although I’ve enjoyed American whiskey for years, I’m a Scotch newbie.   The idea of a peaty, smoky whisky intimidated me.  So I started my Scotch adventures with some sweeter and fruitier Scotch whiskies, such as Glenlivet 12 and The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask (full reviews coming soon).  Johnnie Walker is such a giant brand, so that was my next stop.  Diageo was kind enough to send me samples of most of the Johnnie Walker lineup, including the focus of this post, Double Black.  I sampled and tasted them all several times, but waited to taste this one last.  It was worth the wait.

Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge took the dark, smoky notes from Johnnie Walker Black Label and amplified them to create Johnnie Walker Double Black.  This is the smokiest JW blend thus far (to my knowledge).  The press release states Johnnie Walker Double Black contains some single malts from smaller distilleries on Scotland’s west coast.  This whisky retails for about $42.   So, how is it?

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