Johnnie Walker Platinum

Nose: Satisfying and integrated. Sweet and floral, but with an underpinning oily oakiness that is very appealing. At first it might seem too laid-back but I'd recommend allowing it to rest in the glass for at least 15 minutes. It will repay your patience with a nose that is akin to Green Label, but lower in intensity and with an admixture of very good grain. It's a more sophisticated nose than the Gold Label, which in comparison seems overly sweet. Palate: Rich and sweet, fruity, malty, some sherry. Quite complex with a foundation of some nice oily grain. A lovely mouthfeel. It seems to combine most everything that is in the Johnnie Walker catalogue of flavours. Finish: Soft and medium with lingering oak, honey and a touch of smoke, but also some sour/bitter notes - these seem to be characteristic of all Johnnie Walker blends. This is a little bit like Black Label, Blue Label and Gold Label blended together and turned up in intensity to produce a "blend that has everything". It does have a lot more going for it than the Gold Label Reserve, but the price is hard to justify as there are a number of malts that are the same price or cheaper. For the same price I can buy a bottle of Kilkerran 12 or Lagavulin 16. This and Blue Label are the show ponies of the JW grain blend range, but they do what they do in quite different ways. "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)

Not much, slight peat whiff. Smooth with a good amount of peat. Dried grains, herbs, honey, violets, grass, nuts. Very pleasant all around. Good body.