Category: Blended whisky Page 3 of 14

Blended whisky

Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for blended whisky. A collection of all the interesting releases I have tried. From Scotland and all around the world including some of the most well known and loved brands.

Crown Royal Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 02/06/2023

In Blended whisky

Blended whisky time again, and today I write about the Crown Royal whisky from Canada. The year was 1939. Adolf Hitler has been Führer of Germany for five years. The signs of impending war were visible everywhere in Europe.

During this troubling time, the British Monarch King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (Queen Mother) visited Canada and the USA.It was the first visit of a reigning monarch to Canada, and a British monarch set foot in the United States.

This tour marked the first time that the sovereign’s official Canadian birthday was marked with the country’s ruler. The royals arrived in Quebec and travelled west by rail through the country.

They visited most of the major cities and finally arrived in Vancouver. The King and Queen made a brief visit to the United States, visiting Washington, New York, and Poughkeepsie.

In both Canada and the United States, the presence of the King and Queen was calculated to shore up support for Britain in anticipation of hostilities with Nazi Germany.

Created as a tribute to this Royal grand tour to Canada, the Crown Royal is a blended whisky made with over 50 different whiskies. Crown Royal whisky is a blend of various grains (including corn, rye, wheat and barley).

The whisky is aged in a variety of casks. Crown Royal comes in a purple velvet-like bag, which symbolizes royalty. Owned by Diageo, Crown Royal Deluxe is one of the top-selling Canadian Whiskies in the United States.

Related Article: The Top 5 Blends under R500

Crown Royal Whisky Review

COUNTRY: Canada

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich golden amber.

NOSE: Toffee and vanilla sweetness with hints of grains. There are traces of fruit and bits of lemon coming through. When you add water, stone fruit like peaches appears.

PALATE: Creamy caramel fudge and a bit of smoke with oak. There are hints of fruit in the background and pieces of citrus, and more vanilla linger on the palate. This Delux release is not a very spicy whisky. This Crown Royal Deluxe is smooth and well-balanced.

FINISH: The whisky ends in notes of spice and burnt oak with a bit of chocolate. The finish is long and lingering.

RATING: VERY GOOD

The Crown Royal whisky is a medium-bodied whisky with a balanced mouthfeel. It is the perfect whisky to serve at the end of a meal. The Crown Royal Deluxe should pair well with some vanilla flavoured deserts.

I also tasted the award-winning Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye and captured my tasting notes on this dram.

Related Article: Firstwatch Whisky

Black & White Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 01/16/2023

In Blended whisky

I love the older James Bond movies. After the passing of Sean Connery at the end of 2020, there was a Bond movie marathon on TV, and I noticed that James drinks Black & White blended Scotch whisky in Dr No. It also gets mentioned in Moonraker. I have a Scottie as well, so I had to at least try this well known and affordable blend.

Black & White whisky is a classic old blend. James Buchanan created the brand during the early 1880s and was initially called Buchanan’s Blend. It was sold in the House of Commons Bar and became known as the Buchanan’s House of Commons blend. The packaging was in a black bottle with a white label.

James got the idea for the brand logo and name change on his way home from a dog-show. The Scottish terrier and West Highland terrier on the label were added in the 1890s and became iconic Scotch whisky symbols.

Mergers and acquisitions followed, and the brand ended up in the Diageo stable. It is popular in France, Italy, Canada, Latin America and South Africa. In South Africa, it is priced in the affordable category around R170. Black & White whisky contains a high proportion of grain whisky. It is a NAS release.

According to some research, Physicist Richard Feynman drank Black & White whisky, as described in his book ‘Surely You’re Joking, Mr Feynman’. As the hubby is a huge fan of Mr Feynman, he was quite eager to try this blend. Needless to say, he was not very inspired by Mr Feynman’s whisky taste.

Also Read: White Horse Blended Scotch Whisky

Black & White Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich Gold

NOSE: Raw alcohol notes with caramel sweetness. I let the glass stand for a good couple of minutes for the worst of the alcohol, and mentholated spirit notes to disappear. Not the best introduction to this blended whisky.

PALATE: Grain sweetness with bits of vanilla, caramel and cinnamon. Not the most complex whisky. After the raw alcohol notes on the nose, I was not expecting much, but there is something drinkable in the Black & White whisky. Hints of bourbon and fruit. Adding water softens the rough edges a bit but makes it even sweeter.

FINISH: Short, with a caramel sweetness.

RATING: GOOD

The raw alcohol notes on the nose can be overwhelming. It was only after letting the glass breath for a good 15 minutes that you can get past the raw notes to the sweet grains on the palate.

I was expecting quite an unrefined and harsh mouthful, but the palate is softer and more drinkable than what the nose suggests. Not something I want to drink every day, but with a good mixer, it will be quite drinkable.

Water brings forward even more sweetness, so it can easily become just a bit too sweet. I would not mix this with something sweet, but rather something with a ginger or spicy kick to balance the sweetness.

Daisy, my Scottie, watched the tasting with her usual indifference and I think I need to add a Westie to the family just to get the picture right.

Also Read: Royal Challenge Whisky

Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 12/19/2022

In Blended whisky

Time for a Johnnie Walker Double Black whisky. Black – a timeless colour that resonates with elegance and sophistication. Henry Ford once famously quipped, “A customer can have a car painted any colour he wants as long as it’s black.” His reasoning? Cost-effectiveness, as black was the only colour available in the quick-drying paint of his time.

Coco Chanel echoed the sentiments, declaring, “Women think of all colours except the absence of colour. I have said that black has it all. Its beauty is absolute. It is perfect harmony.” Black, it seems, stirs profound emotions.

In the realm of colour psychology, black signifies power and refinement. It’s a hue shrouded in mystery, denoting strength and authority. Black exudes formality, elegance, and prestige. So, it’s no surprise that Johnnie Walker chose to double down on black when crafting their exquisite Johnnie Walker Double Black blended Scotch whisky.

Also Read: Jameson vs Johnnie Walker Black

Introduced by Diageo around 2011, Johnnie Walker Double Black elevates the iconic flavours of its predecessor, Johnnie Walker Black, to a whole new level. The maestro behind this transformation is Diageo Master Blender Jim Beveridge, who envisioned a darker, smokier interpretation of the beloved Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky.

Beveridge oversaw the maturation of Double Black in heavily charred oak casks. A higher proportion of Scottish West Coast and Island whiskies were blended into the mix, intensifying the already remarkable Johnnie Walker Black flavours. And thus, the Double Black blended Scotch was born, devoid of any age statement.

Johnnie Walker Double Black Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Amber with a little bit of red and copper floating around.

NOSE: On the initial nosing, you get a feeling of richness, complexity and luxury. There are notes of smoke, sherry-soaked Christmas pudding, red berry fruits, and a medley of nuts. Hints of vanilla intertwine with delicate, malty nuances.

PALATE: The journey continues with a burst of peppery spices, swiftly followed by waves of smoke and oak. It’s a robust, mouth-filling experience marked by a buttery richness in flavour. Subtle peat notes harmonize beautifully with the embrace of malt and honey sweetness.

With a few drops of water, the Johnnie Walker Double Black blended Scotch whisky becomes sweeter, smoother, and more approachable, albeit losing a fraction of its intricacy.

FINISH: The grand finale unfolds gradually, leaving you with lingering notes of pepper, malt, and citrus. Without water, the finish is undeniably superior. The addition of water releases a touch of citrus bitterness in the finish.

RATING: EXCELLENT

Johnnie Walker Double Black blended Scotch whisky is that quintessential blend you can confidently request anywhere. It unfailingly delivers delight, turning even the dreariest of days into moments of joy. This dram is bold and audacious, a testament to Johnnie Walker’s commitment to quality. It’s a whisky worth stocking up on!

For those curious souls, I embarked on a side-by-side comparison between the classic Johnnie Black Label and the enigmatic Double Black. Is Double Black indeed double the delight?

Meanwhile, in Mauritius, I stumbled upon a release I didn’t see in South Africa, the Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry finish whisky, and embarked on a flavour adventure, capturing intriguing tasting notes for this distinctive release.

Also Read: Milk & Honey Elements Peated Whisky

Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/21/2022

In Blended whisky

As I rummaged through my whisky collection, pondering the perfect dram to cap off another incredible year, my gaze fell upon the shopping bag on the counter. It struck me that, once again, I had unwittingly bought the whisky that has graced my glass more frequently than any other (with perhaps the exception of the Bain’s whisky). This is the iconic Johnnie Walker Black Label blended Scotch whisky.

Steeped in history, this whisky brand has maintained its position as one of the best-selling whiskies since 1909, making next year its remarkable 110th anniversary. That’s over a century of excellence in every bottle.

Widely acclaimed as the most globally distributed brand of Scotch whisky. Johnnie Walker Black Label blended whisky boasts a consistent taste profile coupled with an affordable price point.

I instinctively reach for Johnnie Walker Black Label whenever I am whipping up a Rusty Nail Cocktail. It’s a timeless classic that always stays in style. But let’s rewind and delve into this whisky’s origins.

Born in a humble grocery shop, the Walker family rechristened their creation from ‘Extra Special Old Highland Whisky’ to the illustrious Johnnie Walker Black Label in 1909.

Over the years, it has become the benchmark against which I measure all other 12 year old blends. Whenever I sip something new, I can’t help but wonder: is it as smooth, as easy-drinking, and as affordable as a glass of Johnnie Black?

Black Label whisky is a meticulously crafted blend of approximately 40 whiskies from various regions across Scotland. It reigns supreme in terms of smoothness and drinkability, setting it apart from its sibling, Johnnie Walker Red Label.

The Johnnie Walker whisky range is part of the Diageo stable. Other releases include the Johnnie Walker Double Black whisky and the Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky.

Now, let’s dive into what makes this whisky so incredibly easy to savour.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Gold Label whisky

Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Deep polished amber

NOSE: When you bring the glass to your nose, you’re greeted with a delicate wisp of smoke, red berries, and the warm embrace of Christmas pudding, generously adorned with toffee and hints of winter spice.

PALATE: As it dances across your palate, you’ll find it both smooth and rich, with the perfect marriage of smoke and peat harmonizing with notes of fruit, citrus blossoms, oak, and malt. There’s a toffee sweetness here, embellished with subtle hints of spice. Remarkably, you don’t need to add water, but if you do, it coaxes even more sweetness.

FINISH: The finish is nothing short of awesome. It lingers, rewarding your senses with a harmonious blend of fruity sweetness, citrus peel, velvety vanilla, and a gentle, warming pepper spice.

RATING: DIVINE

What a fantastic release . Johnnie Walker Black Label delivers an astonishingly consistent taste that remains unwavering no matter where you travel. It’s a fixture in my home, always ready to be enjoyed. In fact, among all the sometimes costly Johnnie Walker releases I’ve had the pleasure of tasting, this one remains my favourite.

It is a compelling testament to the notion that price doesn’t always equate to taste and quality. You can easily pick this up for around £25 on Amazon.

Black Label comparisons

I’ve conducted intriguing side-by-side comparisons involving Johnnie Walker Black Label blended whisky. How does it stack up against Chivas Regal 12 yo? Is the Double Black whisky a significant improvement? The beauty of this release lies in its versatility for such comparisons. I’ve even placed it beside a Jameson whiskey; the contrast is enlightening.

For those curious souls, I’ve engaged in a Black Label vs Red Label comparison as well as a showdown with the illustrious Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky.

I also stumbled upon a Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish whisky in Mauritius. Rest assured, I’ve meticulously documented tasting notes for this release.

So, whether you’re a seasoned whisky connoisseur or just beginning your journey into the world of fine spirits, Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky is a timeless companion that never disappoints. Pour yourself a glass and savour the history, craftsmanship, and sheer delight this whisky offers.

Cheers to a drink that transcends time and trends.Here’s to many more years of raising our glasses to Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker XR 21 yo whisky

Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/17/2022

In Blended whisky

On my recent trip to Mauritius, I found an interesting bottle of Johnnie Walker whisky in the supermarket. I had not seen the Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish blended Scotch whisky before and bought a bottle to try.

On the island, we had some time to explore this bottle properly. We love the Black Label whisky and always have a bottle around. So it made sense to spend a bit of time with this bottle.

The Sherry Finish is a limited edition Johnnie Walker Black Label initially released as a Taiwan exclusive. It is now available in more countries. According to the brand, this release combines the familiar notes of the Black Label whisky with dried plum and fig with aromatic vanilla.

Also Read: The Singleton Tailfire Whisky

Like the standard Black Label, the Sherry Finish is a blend that includes whisky from Cardhu in Speyside, Cameronbridge and Glenkinchie in the Lowlands and Clynelish from the Scottish Highlands. It was aged for 12 years and then finished in barrels seasoned with sherry from Jerez.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish Whisky Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: Reddish gold

NOSE: It has the distinctive Black Label peat and smoky nose with an extra layer of sweetness. Red fruits, dried cherries and hints of sherry. Bits of spice and vanilla, with hints of dry wood.

PALATE: Peat and faint sherry sweetness with black pepper, red berries and caramel. Drying tannins and oak underlay the red fruits with hints of chocolate. On the palate, it is delicate and soft with none of the standard Black Label bolder notes. As the ABV was only 40%, we did not add water.

FINISH: A drying, peaty finish with bitter citrus and black pepper. Medium length.

RATING: VERY GOOD

I was expecting a bit more of the sherry richness to shine through. The sherry notes are subdued and somewhat out of balance with the peat and spices. The sherry finish adds a unique red fruit note but also tannins and drying oak.

Not bad, but if I have to choose between the Sherry Finish or the standard Black Label, I will take the standard Black Label whisky. I have to add that we quickly finished our bottle during our holiday. It will be a great dram for Johnnie Walker aficionados.

The serving suggestion for the Sherry Finish whisky is either on the rocks or in a tall glass filled with ice, topped up with a blackcurrant mixer and garnished with a sprig of mint or a slice of citrus. According to Johnnie Walker, it also pairs well with dark fruits, nuts and chocolate after a meal.

I have not seen it in South Africa, and I can’t remember what we paid for it in Mauritius. It was not too expensive, though; I see it retails for around R 650 worldwide. On Amazon you can pick it up for £33.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Select Casks Rye Finish Whisky