Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 years
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Description
Johnnie Walker Black Label is a true icon, recognised as the benchmark for all other deluxe blends. They only using whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years from the four corners of Scotland. Given this, it has an unmistakably smooth, deep character. In a word, an impressive whisky to share on any occasion.
Black Label was originally known as ‘Extra Special Old Highland’. It was renamed Johnnie Walker Black Label in 1909.
It has a deep and complex flavour, also an unquestionable mark of power and refinement. Besides, it is a luxury blend and a luxury brand, with a completely individual personality. As many as 40 whiskies, each aged 12 years or more, make up this satisfyingly complex blend. Decade after decade, Black Label wins awards and accolades. Experts consistently appreciate its understateding and classic qualities.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Winter spice and treacle, hints of white pepper and a little citrus.
Palate: Rich and full with notes of wood smoke and dry spice, hints of barley and cereal with creamy toffee and a distinct herbal note.
Finish: Quite fruity and long with a note of sultanas and mixed peels.
What some of our whisky enthusiast friends have said about Johnnie Walker Black Label
Quote 1 “I know it’s become fashionable to rag on this product, as happens with all popular products. And yes, the quality is sadly not as consistent nor quite as good as before. But, if you’re not unlucky with the batch, JW Black is a tasty and drinkable one. Dare I say highly enjoyable dram, easily beats the Chivas Regal 12. What’s more, anyone who compares it to the Red Label is an absolute idiot. I think most drinkers would actually prefer this over many single malts as well, and not just due to its “drinkability”. Sure, you can get better whiskies, but in this price range there’s not much that beats it. And it’s available anywhere. Definitely a classic in my book.”
Quote 2 “I’m a big fan of Johnnie Walker Black Label. I often have quite a few bottles of some mid-to-high end single malts on hand. Depending on my mood and what my mouth is craving, but good old Black Label gets poured in my house more than any other. It’s always the right blend of smoke, light peat, good aroma, and a wonderful finish that seems to empty my bottles quicker than I mean to. You just can’t go wrong with this classic. It never disappoints.”
2 reviews for Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 years
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dannylyons1000 –
I refer to the review above, written by the venerable Whiskey Jaysus, concerning his memories of slaughtering goats back in the bygone era.
I have to say that I disagree with his summaries, and that my tasting notes are as follows:
The nose has a caramel and almond approach, the palate has clear flavours of light smoke mixed with light vanilla, almonds, and a caramel flavour which reminded me of a rich dessert.
However, unlike my goat-slaughtering friend, I was enjoying the whiskey alongside a heavenly and heavily spiced tandoori chicken, and this poor deceased roasted avian interfered with any aftertastes, so I’m unable to provide information here.
I had very low expectations, due to the remorseless opprobrium given to Black Label’s younger kindred. I was proven wrong, and I would recommend JWBL as a good, mid price whiskey.
My rating is 4.5 stars, made up of 4 for taste, and 5 for value.
Whisky Jaysus –
Reviewing this on Wednesday 8th May 2019. Bottle code L714SCL002 – bottling date 20170525
My last experience with Johnnie Walker Black Label wasn’t pleasant. 10 am in the morning, in 40-degree heat in Torit, Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan, having to put a few litres to rest to wash down a freshly slaughtered lamb and a goat. It’s one of those alternative ways to create local community engagement…..or at least that was our excuse at the time. To say that I never wanted Black Label to pass my lips again is probably the understatement of the year. But it was time to take one for the team and try this again.
I’m sure we all know the back story to Johnnie Walker Black Label. It’s a blend of 12-year-old malt whiskies and grain whiskies. Most people know that the Diageo marketing hype suggests that Black Label is built around Cardhu and Talisker. Black Label is pitched as being the “smokier” Johnnie Walker.
On the nose, the first hit is from grain alcohol. This is only a 40% ABV whisky, but it gives a distinctive “circa 50% alcohol” nose sting on the initial smell. Normally this indicates to me that there’s a lot of grain spirit in the product.
There are smokey elements to the whisky that are not present in the Red Label. That’s very obvious, even to someone very new to whisky.
I’d deduce that the smokiness on Black Label is “Islands” as opposed to Islay. There are industry stories suggesting that Black Label is built around Caol Ila. I’d argue against that and say this is very much a Talisker smoke.
The taste of Black Label confirms the Talisker to me. Its light to medium bodied in the thickness of the whisky. An initial tongue burn and a taste that can only be described as laste night beer that people have dropped cigarettes ends into.
How anyone that has ever reviewed this whisky can write words like caramel, syrup, light fruit and grapes is beyond me.
I’d like to be able to describe a finish on this whisky, but I can’t. It doesn’t have a finish. It has an aftertaste, which again, is more of that damp cigarettes taste. Really not pleasant to me at all.
I think personally, my dislike of this whisky is almost certainly because of the Talisker. Talisker in any form never gets into my whisky cabinet and never will. That should be the baseline for most people. If you like Talisker, you’ll probably enjoy Black Label. If you don’t like Talisker, then avoid this.