Johnnie Walker Red Label

Smooth and light No distinguishing characteristics

Nose: A sweet, fruity, almost bubblegum aroma that comes as much from the grain whisky component as any of the malts in this blend. Some light malty cereal notes and a prominent spirity aroma. It's a simple nose, but there's noting wrong with it. In the past I've noted a faint tinge of smoke but it's absent from this particular bottling. [Correction: On the dry glass there is just the faintest whiff of wood-smoke]. Palate: A sweet arrival that is lightly malty and vaguely fruity. Again, there's a spirity note and you can taste the grain whisky but it's not unpleasant. There's no development at all and very little finish - the initial flavours just fade away. The texture is good for a bottom-shelf scotch - it has a supple satiny quality that is only let down by also being slightly thin. Finish: Very short. The aftertaste is a simple dilute cereal sweetness. Once again the "budget mixing scotch" shelf was bare and the choice this time was JW Red. Despite having a generally poor rep I have a soft spot for this old campaigner. It's inexpensive, universally available, and I can honestly say that of the many bottles I've had over the years not one has been less than adequate to the task. It's not a special dram to sip slowly and ponder - it's a mixer to take with ice, soda or soft drink, or add to coffee or tea. Mind you, it *can* be enjoyed neat which is more than I can say for most bottom-shelf scotch. "Satisfyingly Adequate" : 74/100 (2.25 stars)

Did not like this AT ALL. Icky.