Johnnie Walker Black Label 750ml

Normally I'm satisfied with J&B Scotch Whiskey.I rarely drink Scotch neat and use it often for a Sweet Rob Roy, a favorite of mine.

Recently being out with a few young guys that I work with. They started taking shots of Scotch Whiskeys. Each was trying to impress the other as to which was the best and who could spend more money. Fortunately for them, they didn't ask the bar tender to open a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue that was on the top shelf. I've never tasted the stuff but I understand it was going near $40-$50 a shot!! Though these kids were getting their jollies with moderately priced spirits, they weren't willing to blow their weekly paychecks on a couple of shots of that stuff. They did however have Johnnie Walker Red, Black Label 12 year old and other quality Scotch whiskeys including Pinch and Chivas Regal Scotch 12 Year Old blend.

Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky

Johnnie Walker has been around since 1820 when Johnnie Walker decided to try to make a top blend Scotch Whiskey. It seems he succeeded well and now Johnnie Walker has number #1 blends world wide. They have five distinct blends. Red is their basic blend. Black is a bit more refined at 12 years and is considered an excellent blend of over 40 whiskies aged 12 years or more that still remains affordable at about $30 a bottle

I also read their is a Johnnie Walker Green, but I don't know much about it except it sells for double the price of Black.

A jump to Johnnie Walker Gold Label as their web site states is an Exceptionally smooth, creamy and delicate, Gold Label™ is the ultimate whisky pleasure

I have never had the pleasure and the same can be said of
Johnnie Walker Blue Label stated as our rarest blend. This isn't a whisky for beginners. It's challenging and an acquired taste, but like the finest rewards in life is worth it. The guys I was with that night wouldn't have the time, money nor do I think the life experience to really appreciate this blend. We did have the Red and Black.

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Though the others were taking shots I said I would be happy to join in the fun but I would not "shoot" any of my drinks down so quickly. I Agreed to the first shot of "Red" but when they went to have another I said no. All my subsequent drinks were over crushed ice and swished around a bit to melt a touch of water into it. That's how I enjoy my Scotch Whiskeys.

When I got to the Johnnie Walker Black, the third round of drink the tender poured it slowly over the crushed ice as I asked. Just to note, he crushed the ice with a spoon so it was uneven in piece size.

I swirled it a time or three and then brought it up for the nose. I detected an alcohol bite and an earthy yet vanilla aroma.

Next I took my first taste. It was chilled and slightly diluted with the melted ice. The taste was smooth and also exciting. I could get a bit of an alcohol bite and it was smokey yet dry with earthy undertones along with a sweetness that made this a fine experience as I swirled it toward the back of my mouth and added the full taste to my palate. I do like this stuff and though I will be reviewing Pinch and Chivas in the near future, this is the one I most enjoyed. I do not care for it in the same way if just having it neat. It's the little chill and dilution over the crushed ice that makes it perfect for me.

As the ice continued to melt the flavours of the product increased including a fruity sweetness and a bit of taste of the sweet vanilla aroma I first detected. I believe one receives a dulling effect when drinking shots. It's when a Scotch Whiskey is allowed to "open up" over some ice that the true fine tastes come through.

When I was a kid, like the guys I was with that night, I enjoyed sweet whiskeys like Seagram's. As I aged I prefer what tastes more like a mature libation. Johnnie Walker Black is the finest for me.

Please don't waste it by putting it in my Sweet Rob Roy or any tall drinks.

Johnnie Walker Red
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old, Premium Scotch Whisky
Dewar's White Label, Blended Scotch Whisky