20 years ago, I used to drink a shot of Johnny Walker Red with my beer at the bar. Since then I’ve sworn off of the brand and haven’t looked back... until now. I’m tasting blends to find budget whiskeys I can enjoy. Raisins and... acetone? On the nose. Smooth and rich on the palate with a hint of smoke. The finish is slightly sweet, smooth and peppery with a bit of lingering smoke as the pepper fades. On second sip, after the whiskey has opened up a bit, the nose has lost it’s acetone note to be replaced by some smoke. The palate is smoother and a bit sweeter. The finish remains peppery and a bit smokey. Definitely a better dram than the Red Label, but I think I prefer Black Bottle.