Slainte-Mhath
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Blended — Scotland
Reviewed
November 20, 2016 (edited March 5, 2024)
Almost every bar on the planet has Johnnie Walker Black Label available for a reason: it's a solid and reliable choice. On the nose, you get distant Caol Ila peatiness, rich honey notes, apples and citrus fruits. Not a very intense aroma - but altogether pleasant. Peppery Talisker-spiciness dominates the arrival, while the taste of this blended Scotch is surprisingly substantial with fruity sweetness, cinnamon and well-measured cask influence. The finish lingers with delicate peat smoke and mild spices. An easy blend with restrained grain whisky bitterness.
RATING: 3.0/5.0 stars ≙ 80 pts → AVERAGE
22.0
EUR
per
Bottle
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Most people buying JW are not like you and I, contemplating tasting notes. They don't care much about aroma and taste - so why should JW push any boundaries, as long as their product sells? The thing with JW Double Black - why not buy a peated Single Malt for more or less the same money...?
The thing about JW, in general, is their unwillingness to push any boundaries. I get the idea it's more about volume but just once I'd like a JW to take me by surprise. I even paid the big money and tried the Blue Label and still came away disappointed. For the record, I like the Double Black the most since it does at least offer up a bigger hit of smoke. I just wish they'd take a chance every now and then. Cheers.
Excellent review, last time I had this was at a bar that had very few choices. You can always count on JWB being offered.