Johnnie Walker Black Label Highlands Origin

Überraschend gut

Nose: Bright grassy and hay-like aromas, honey and mild notes of orange zest and pears. Over time in the glass it blooms a little but there are no rich foundation aromas. The dry glass aroma is honey and maple syrup. Palate: Soft, silky texture on the arrival, which is grassy and has fresh honeyed stone-fruit notes (nectarine, apricot, peach). There is almost no progression and the whisky lacks depth, but it's a good palate nonetheless - just simple. A little mild ginger spice appears towards the finish. The standout feature is the texture which is excellent and very pleasantly waxy, if a trifle thin. Finish: Short. Soft fruit flavours that tail into delicate sweet ginger. This is the second of the Johnnie Walker “Origins” series I’ve tried. Like the Islay Origin bottling I had previously it is a blended malt crafted from whiskies made in one region. In this case the component whiskies all come from the highlands. Clynelish and Teaninich are the feature malts and both are instantly identifiable when you taste it. It’s a competent, light-bodied blended malt with good texture and it is very easy to sip, however it lacks the depth of the Islay Origin blend. I had the distinct impression this was only brought to market because the blenders were handed a brief to create four regional blends and there had to be something completely from the highlands (but why just the northeast?). Clynelish and Teaninich are excellent malts but both mainly contribute top-notes (particularly Teaninich) and texture (particularly Clynelish). Consequently this comes across like a band with two fine lead guitarists but no rhythm section. That impression is reinforced when the whisky is used as a mixer, as it disappears almost completely. Clynelish and Teaninich are also both frequently used by John Glaser in his blends, but he invariably adds something smoky or sherried into the vat to provide body and balance. It’s a pity Jim Beveridge and George Harper didn’t follow that approach here. I can't help but wonder whether a dash of Talisker or Oban in the blend might have improved it. "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars)