• Join, for peat' sake

    • johnnie walker black label 12 years old

    Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Years Old 81
    Distillery
    Johnnie Walker
    Style
    Blended
    Release
    Unspecified
    Age
    12 Years
    Alcohol
    40% abv.
    Region
    Scotland
    Bottled For
    Distillery

    The award winning Johnnie Walker Black Label remains as rich and smooth today as it was when Johnnie Walker's son and grandson were master blenders. It's been called "the Savoy, the Everest of deluxe whiskies" and outsells every other product in its category. That it has stood the test of time is a testament to the skills and determination of the Walker family and those who have inherited it's custodianship since.

    review by anonymous

    88
    Color
    A bit of the orange side of honey
    Nose
    Light smoke, lighter earth, faint cotton candy
    Body
    Smooth but whole
    Palate
    Alcoholic, earthy and faint smoke. A bit of water brings balance. Sweeter on the next sip, and the next.
    Finish
    Short finish, smoke as you exhale, then clean.

    This was surprisingly good. Not a knock-out punch like Islay malts, but very nicely balanced and smooth. Also affordable. Very good default sipping whiskey.

    review by anonymous

    85
    Color
    Deep Gold, Chestnut
    Nose
    Caramel, smoke
    Body
    Full bodied, oily
    Palate
    Oiliness gives way to smoky peat, vanilla, toffee
    Finish
    Long and warming, spicy flavors

    Not quite Laphroaig but a very enjoyable blend.

    review by coloradodram

    84
    Color
    Medium-light amber.
    Nose
    Oxidizing metal (like a handful of old coins), nondescript flowers, fruit, and smoke.
    Body
    Very oily and creamy grab on the tongue. Medium-full bodied.
    Palate
    Tasty balance of fruit, flowers, pepper, and light smoke. The malt is almost lost here.
    Finish
    Peppery, medium length, medium warmth. Balances smooth and dry well.

    This is a really good and consistent blend. If you just don't know what you're in the mood for (and you're not seeking to discern any complexities in a single-malt 'tasting'), then happily pour the mix of 40 that the malt masters at JW picked to bring the kitchen sink of fruit, flowers, smoke, nuts, oak, dry, creamy, smooth-finishing scotch called Black Label. I've tasted some my parents opened 20 years ago and it's as consistent as a 2008 bottle at my house.

    review by heavy

    75
    Color
    Deep golden.
    Nose
    Oak, sherry, some leather or plastic notes, but nothing unpleasant.
    Body
    Good medium thick legs, smooth, but watery.
    Palate
    Oak, leather, spicy (ginger mostly) and fruity (orange peel and plums). Warming.
    Finish
    Medium-long, spicy, a bit salty. Pretty warming

    This is my most often choice. It's probably the best in its price category. Simple, but truly nice blend.

    review by mandrake

    76
    Color
    Warm amber
    Nose
    Darkly fruity, raisins and currants. Caramel and a hint of smoke.
    Body
    Medium body, a bit watery.
    Palate
    Blackcurrant and wood, lighter notes too. Apple and a bit of heather.
    Finish
    Slightly abrupt and not particularly well integrated. Fruity notes, hint of smokiness.

    Surprisingly good blend, a massive step up from the Red.

    review by anonymous

    90
    Color
    amber
    Nose
    burnt raisins, smoke, rich fruit
    Body
    chewy , smooth and silky.
    Palate
    raisins again, fruit, very chewy, medium smoke, perfect balance.
    Finish
    long with some bite of peat and fruit.

    This is the best blend money can buy. Brilliant balance of so many layers.

    review by dr.whisky

    79
    Color
    The way orange chocolate fudge tastes
    Nose
    Sweet, apples and honey, soft brown pears, custardy cream smell, cakey, lively and fresh in the nose. malted barley and a good whisky smell. Not necessarily a peatiness, but a definite burnt or toasty character about it.
    Body
    Has a grainy assertiveness that keeps you on your toes. Tingly and warming like good ballet.
    Palate
    Subtle and constantly changing in the mouth. Starts really sweet, but a nice sweet, like kissing rather than talking about kissing. Moves into oaky territory, winey and grapey with leafy breezes of herbal tastes. Slowly developing long finish of smoky clothes sweetened with a body spray of vanilla, apples and honey.
    Finish
    Pleasantly sweet for introductions and then takes you on a pleasant ever-developing flavour ride. Long finish.

    I like this stuff. Innovation in blending passed down through generations. Clever opportunism. Marketing genius. Branding and re-branding. Skill to be able to constistenly blend a tasty whisky for over 150 years. Put it in a sexy bottle to decorate our shelves and you have a world-class knock-out blend. "Maybe" at full price, "yes" on offer, "of course" at duty free (crazy deals in the middle east!!!).