Johnnie Walker Double Black

Good whisky but too expensive. Not as smoky as others

Nose: pecans, burnt wet leaf smoke, sawdust, overripe melon. Palate: cola, minty-menthol, cereal. Finish: fresh bitter burst, a little sweetish smoke, followed by a weirdly chemical sensation that coats the mouth and throat like that supermarket-brand cola aftertaste. Conclusion: this is a decently tasty blend, but really does not deliver on its promise of intense, rich smoke. The smoke that’s present is kind of watery and definitely lacks the punch of a fill-blooded Islay or Island scotch. The presence of (presumably young) grain whisky is also noticeable, every other sip betraying a little woody acetone. All said, it’s a solid blend but I’d say the regular JW Black is better balanced. At least it keeps my dad away from my Highland Park 12. Score: 74

peaty and smoky.

Nice balance between fruit and peat. Slightly medicinal in the mid with a good fruity and slightly peaty finish