Johnnie Walker Double Black

Nose: Light tarry smoke, sweet malt, delicate spices, fruit and vanilla. The character is broadly similar to classic Black label, but with the smoke greatly amplified. Palate: Very similar to the nose with the smoke being the first note on the arrival, followed by sweet fruity maltiness in the development, and then finally turning to tarry smoke again as it moves into the finish. Finish: Medium. The smoke is the last lingering flavour but a light, dry briny note is in the aftertaste. Black Label has a perfect balance between a few elements and a slightly hard edge from the grain spirit. That balance is lost in Double Black which is much more focused on the interplay of sweet malt and smoke. It was something of a trendsetter blend when first released, but there is competition now. It's pleasant and serviceable if what you want is a versatile smokey blended scotch that can be used as a base for mixing or occasionally sipped neat. It does, however, face stiff competition from Big Peat, Smokehead and other smoky blended malt whiskies that are only a few dollars more and arguably superior. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)