Johnnie Walker Double Black

Strong and Smokey.

It smells smokier and peatier than other Johnnie Walker releases. The nose also holds grassy and mild apricot and vanilla elements, but nothing really jumps out in an interesting or compelling way like in, say, the Green Label. It actually has a little bit of a fresh scent like a hotel room - kind of floral. The palate is a little harsh with peaty and smoky elements making up a big chunk, but it also has some nice sweet notes like dates and some nice to richness that has a bit of umami to it. This is a big step up from the weak and off-putting Black Label with a more rounded character and some rich apricot flavor coming through. It tastes like an Islay Scotch that is here to make an impression and would function fine as a daily sipper with a clear vanilla flavor and some nectar sweetness. It has roughly the complexity of the Gold Label, but with more rich smoke and peat that balance well. In short, it's a bit better. It doesn't have the nectar sweetness of Johnnie Walker 18 though and it lacks the delectibility in its fruity flavors (though they are similar). Still, it's quite a nice drink. It could do with some more character and complexity, but sitting between Johnnie Walker Gold and Johnnie Walker 18, it's doing quite well for its price, especially since it's closer to the 18. The nose is smoky, peaty, and salty with a prominent floral sweetness and too much grassiness. The grass and sweetness don't mix well, but the sweetness itself is not an inherent problem. Compared with Gold Label, this has a nicer vibrancy, but it also is a bit more slip-shod in its balance. It's sweeter with some nectar flavor, but the smoke and peat make it taste less sweet (though still quite sweet) when consumed on its own. Its flavors are more varies than those of the Green Label, but they are less rich and do not balance as well. There's grass mixed with golden raisins and a bit of smoke and peat. It's not bad, but it could really benefit for some better balancing. I do appreciate the vanilla in concept, but it kind of makes the thing too sweet and floral. It's sippable enough, but it isn't great. It falls a bit shy of Gold Label due to its sloppy balance. It avoids the blandness of the Black Label and flavor-wise it's a big improvement in vibrancy.