Tastes

Apples and vanilla on the nose. Sweet and spicy on the palate with a long rum spice finish.

20 years ago, I used to drink a shot of Johnny Walker Red with my beer at the bar. Since then I’ve sworn off of the brand and haven’t looked back... until now. I’m tasting blends to find budget whiskeys I can enjoy. Raisins and... acetone? On the nose. Smooth and rich on the palate with a hint of smoke. The finish is slightly sweet, smooth and peppery with a bit of lingering smoke as the pepper fades. On second sip, after the whiskey has opened up a bit, the nose has lost it’s acetone note to be replaced by some smoke. The palate is smoother and a bit sweeter. The finish remains peppery and a bit smokey. Definitely a better dram than the Red Label, but I think I prefer Black Bottle.

More smoke than I expected on the nose with just a hint of vanilla and apple pie spice? More smoke and cinnamon on the palate. The finish is sweet and peppery. This blended whiskey delivers above its price range. The second sip, this whiskey has completely changed: the nose becomes butterscotch, vanilla, and green apples. The palate is sweeter and smoother. The finish remains peppery.

Bananas, lemon, and sea on the nose. Spiced fruits, Banoffee Pie and the sea on the palate. The finish is peppery and warm. Sea brine presents itself throughout.

Red fruits and a bit of honey on the nose. Smooth jam and sweet custard on the palate. The lingering finish is peppery.

Melons and oaky spice on the nose. Sweet on the palate. Smooth vanilla and a hint of chocolate and cinnamon in the finish. On the first sip, it’s okay. But I had bigger expectations. Second sip, and as it warms up a bit, there’s more cinnamon and vanilla flavors.

Lots of oranges on the nose, smooth full mouthfeel with a slightly peppery finish with some chocolate.

A heavy amount of peat on the nose, reminds me of BBQ’s and the smell of clothes after a long weekend camping... with something else just below the smoke which I can’t quite name. Sweet cardamum, vanilla, and pepper on the palate gives way to a smokey and a bit bitter of a finish. Very good for a blended whiskey at this price point. I wasn’t expecting the peat to be as heavy as some other Islay whiskeys. -1 star: After the first day this whiskey has lost more and more of it’s peat smell. It was the best when first opened and doesn’t keep well.

Lots of raisins, some salty sea, and sherry perfume on the nose. Sweet caramel and vanilla on the palate with a wisp of smoke that gives way to ginger and orange peel as a finish. A smooth dram with little nooks and crannies of flavors to go exploring in. A decent budget whiskey, if also a bit watery. I would buy it again as a daily dram. On second sip, there’s more vanilla, caramel, and chocolate smells and flavors come through and the sherry perfume goes away.

Light peat smoke on the nose, vanilla, and lemon peel. Smooth sweet peat on the palate. Vanilla and pepper in the finish. A pretty easy to drink neat scotch. At the price point, I think I like it better than regular Famous Grouse. [I’ve upped my star rating by +1 as the bottle didn’t last too long. So I must have enjoyed it!]