Gigiomix
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
Blended — Scotland
Reviewed
August 28, 2020 (edited September 18, 2020)
Intrigued by the range (I had never tasted a Johnnie Walker in my life, I swear!) I took the mini-bottle tasting kit 5cl with the tops, Black, Double Black, Gold Label Reserve and Blue Label. Rank and notes: 5°: Double Black: a lot of resin on the nose, dried fruit on the palate, a lot of smoking and a little bitterish. Weak and bitter finish. None of that. Vote 2.5. 4°: 18 Years Old: I thought better, he too weak on the nose, hay prevails... On the palate light with dried fruit, grass and many spices. Not bad ending, the best part: sweet but short. Vote 3. 3°: Gold Label Reserve. On the nose and on the palate hazelnut and vanilla, hazelnut cake and dried fruit. Weak finish of custard. Vote 3. 2°: Black Label: big surprise considering the ridiculous price! On the nose and on the palate cream and vanilla, light smoking (not as strong as double). Short but pleasantly full-bodied finish. I also found a drizzle of peat. What can I say, with € 25 you take home a bottle far better than many 12yo singles on the market ... Vote 3.5. 1°: Blue Label: I was curious and doubtful. A blended NAS of 150 and more € per bottle, not appreciated on bible whisky but recognized as a great whisky. I disagree with his highness Jim Murray ... and I will immediately buy a whole bottle! The nose is light, but on the palate an explosion of sweet, honey, Williams pears, pine nuts, Catalan cream. Pure silk on the tongue. Long but not very long finish. A whisky to always have in the cabinet, to drink at any time. True masterpiece for me. Vote 5+ ______________________________________________________________________________
Incuriosito dalla gamma (non avevo mai assaggiato un Johnnie Walker in vita mia, giuro!) ho preso il kit degustazione di mini-bottiglie con i top, Black, Double Black, Gold Label Reserve e Blue Label. Classifica e note: 5°: Double Black: al naso molta resina, al palato frutta secca, molta affumicatura ed un po’ di amarognolo. Finale debole ed amarognolo. Nulla di che. Voto 2,5. 4°: 18 Years Old: pensavo meglio, anche lui debole al naso, prevale il fieno... al palato leggero con frutta secca, erba e molte spezie. Finale non male, la parte migliore: dolce ma breve. Voto 3. 3°: Gold Label Reserve. Al naso ed al palato nocciola e vaniglia, torta di nocciole e frutta secca. Finale debole di crema pasticciera. Voto 3. 2°: Black Label: grande sorpresa considerando il prezzo ridicolo! Al naso ed al palato crema e vaniglia, leggera affumicatura (non forte come il double). Finale breve ma piacevolmente corposo. Ci ho trovato anche un filo di torba. Che dire, con 25€ ti porti a casa una bottiglia ben migliore di tanti 12yo single sul mercato... Voto 3,5. 1°: Blue Label: ero curioso e dubbioso. Un blended nas da 150 e passa € a boccia, non apprezzato sulla whisky bible ma riconosciuto come un gran whisky. Dissento dal sommo Jim Murray... e me ne comprerò subito una bottiglia intera! Al naso leggerino, ma al palato esplosione di dolce, miele, pere williams, pinoli, crema catalana. Pura seta sulla lingua. Finale lungo ma non lunghissimo. Un whisky da avere sempre nel cabinet, da bere in qualunque momento. Vero masterpiece per me. Voto 5+
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Ciao, thank you for suggestion. I just bought the Green a few days ago, but I have to say that it didn't satisfy me 100%. You can read my tasting note that I just posted. The Black Label still remain unbeatable for value for money, even if I am on different typoes of whisky. I use the Black Label only for cocktails (I only have one type of cocktail with whisky). The Blue for me remain high profile even if for sure doesn't worth the price, as you say. Now just to try I bought a Blue Ghost/Rare Port Ellen, soon the review. But single malts are another galaxy to blended, nothing to say....
If you liked the Blue, you should give the Green a try. Granted, it’s only a 4-whisky blended malt, but it gives the Blue a run for its money