Category: Blended whisky Page 4 of 14

Black Bottle Old Release Whisky

On 07/29/2019

The first Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky I tasted was the new version that was launched in 2013. Burn Stewart went back to the original roots of the blend and updated the inside and the outside. That got me thinking about the Black Bottle old release whisky, that if you are lucky enough, you sometimes still find in the shops.

While researching the new Black Bottle, I read a lot about the Islay character of the old Black Bottle whisky, and when I spotted a few of the pre-2013 versions in the shop, I grabbed it.

For many years, Black Bottle blended Scotch whisky was known for its Islay peatiness. The bottle changed from the original Black glass that was sourced from a supplier in Germany to green glass during the early part of the 1900s.

The change was due to the outbreak of World War 1. The Islay character change is probably also from that time when Islay whiskies were more readily available and affordable.

Old Black Bottle is (according to some) a blend of at least 7 different Islay distilleries as well as some grain whisky from the mainland. The older release and the newer release can’t be more different. But what exactly does the old Black bottle taste like?

Also Read: William Lawson’s whisky

Black Bottle Old Release Whisky Review

REGION: Islay

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Gold

NOSE: Classic peaty Islay notes with hints of wet seaweed and honey sweetness. It does not have that heavy medicinal notes from a Lagavulin or Laphroaig, but a bit more salt, oak, and fruity sweetness. Dried cherries and honey with hints of smoke and delicious creamy bits.

PALATE: Soft peat and fruit. Bits of pepper, vanilla and salted nuts mixed with dried cherries, honey, and condensed milk creaminess. Bits of smoke and dry oak. Not an overwhelming peat monster, but a wonderfully balanced drinkable whisky.

Certainly no shrinking violet. I finished my first glass without adding some water and had to have another glass to see what water does to it. Interestingly, water releases a malty cookie dough note.

FINISH: Long and warming and perfect for winter with peat and hints of lemon pepper.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious dram. Peaty enough for a peat lover, but balanced with enough sweetness to convert someone who wants to experiment with more peat. It has some rough edges, but it is all part of the prominent character.

The new Black Bottle release (in the black bottle) is a lovely dram, and it works well in cocktails. However, this release is bold and delicious. If you like peated whisky and you see the last lonely one in a bottle shop somewhere, grab it. You will be delighted that you did.

Also Read: Ledaig 10 yo Whisky

Signature Rare Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 07/08/2019

In Blended whisky

My hubby travels a lot. He goes all over the world, but quite frequently into Africa. About two years ago, he was flying back from Mozambique and dropped me a message from Maputo Airport.It was a photo of a Signature Rare Aged whisky.

I have never seen or heard about this brand in South Africa, so the bottle was relegated to the back of the cupboard. But I kept on noticing it. It has a unique shape, and this week I decided, we can just as well taste it.

Also Read: Royal Challenge Whisky

I started doing some research on the Signature Rare Aged whisky. I found that it was a blend of Islay, Highland and Indian whisky. Master Blender Caroline Martin put this blend together. It is part of United Spirits Ltd in India and is owned by Diageo.

Launched in 1994 and is known for its iconic octagonal green-coloured bottles. The Signature Premier grain whisky is also available.

I am not sure how this bottle landed in Maputo Airport, and I have not seen it again. But it is part of Diageo, so it might not be all bad…

Signature Rare Aged Whisky Review

COUNTRY: India

ABV: 42.8%

COLOUR: Golden

NOSE: Very subtle with notes of sweetness, fruit, oak, and caramel. Green notes, menthol with a faint acid bitterness.

PALATE: The Signature whisky has a few alcohol notes when tasting it for the first time. There are notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, and molasses sweetness. I am battling to get the Highland and Islay notes in this release. Hints of green grass and juniper. Water softens the alcohol notes but also tones down all the other notes.

FINISH: Short ending in sweet caramel

RATING: GOOD

Not the most complex dram. It is a bit one dimensional and inoffensive. Indeed not the worst whisky I have tried, but rather subtle and a bit unsophisticated. Looking back at drams I did not enjoy at all; the Signature is slightly better than the Galloway Single Grain and the Schoonspruit 2010 Single Barrel whiskey.

I think it will work nicely in tall drink cocktails as an alcohol base from which to build on. Have you tried this release? Your thoughts?

Also Read: Paul John Nirvana Whisky

Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/26/2018

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.

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

Loch Lomond Signature Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/19/2018

In Blended whisky

Today I try another mini from the stash I found in my cupboard. This time I try the Loch Lomond Signature blended Scotch whisky. Loch Lomond is located on the boundary between the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland. The first mention of the original Loch Lomond distillery dates back to 1814.

It was situated at the north end of Loch Lomond near Tarbet. Somewhere in the years following, the distillery closed down and disappeared. The current Loch Lomond distillery was resurrected by the former owners of the Littlemill Distillery when they commissioned it in 1964. In 2014, the Loch Lomond distillery was acquired by a private equity company and is currently part of the Loch Lomond Distillery Company.

Loch Lomond has an unusual set up of stills. This allows them to release a variety of bottlings of both malt and grain whisky. A few of the other releases in the portfolio include Inchmurrin, Inchmoan, Crotengea, Glen Douglass, and Craiglodge, to name a few.

Also Read: Glen Scotia 15 yo whisky

The Loch Lomond Signature is made up of malt and grain whisky, which are blended and then added into the distillery’s 100 cask Solera system. The Loch Lomond Solera ageing process is made up of Oloroso sherry casks and re-charred American oak casks.

It falls squarely in the affordable category and retail at around R380 in South Africa. Not a bad price for a dram. But the more important question remains, what does it taste like?

Loch Lomond Signature Whisky Review

REGION: Highlands

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Light gold

NOSE: Sun-dried grapes, hints of plump red cherries, bits of chocolate, oak and ginger.

PALATE: Dried fruit and sherry notes mixed with summer spices, vanilla and creamy oak. Water softens the Signature taste and takes away a bit of the sharp edges.

FINISH: Oak with lemon and pepper

RATING: VERY GOOD

An interesting blend. Worth a try. This is a distillery I will keep on exploring. The brand and taste variety they offer is impressive and quite a few of the releases are available in South Africa.

Another release from this distillery I have tried is the Loch Lomond 12 yo, Loch Lomond Single Grain whisky as well as the Loch Lomond Original whisky.

Also Read: Galloway Single Grain whisky

Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year old Whisky

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 11/05/2018

In Blended whisky

In my collection, there are a few open bottles that I have not written about yet. One of them is nearly empty – the Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year old blended Scotch whisky. This release has been discontinued and replaced with something else, so I better capture the tasting notes quickly, while I still have something left to drink.

The Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year old whisky was created in 1920 by Sir Alexander Walker to commemorate the Johnnie Walker Company’s 100 years in business dating back to 1820. Although it was discontinued during the war due to a shortage of blending stocks, the label was reintroduced in 1992.

They based the blend on the original blending notes left by Sir Alexander seventy-five years earlier. It’s a blend of 15 different whiskies including some Talisker (the general character); Clynish (for the brine and seaside ambience); Royal Lochnagar (for the luxurious palate) and Cardhu (for the finish).

All the whiskies are a minimum of 18 years old. Looking at my bottle and the packaging, it is probably the second generation release that was available from 2009 until 2013.

Also Read: Benriach The Smoky Twelve Whisky

This Gold Label Centenary Blend then was replaced by two releases: The Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 year old whisky and the Gold Label Reserve Scotch (NAS). The only place where I still see the Centenary Blend is on the big whisky auctions. At a somewhat crazy price.

Jim Murray awarded this Gold Label blend 96 points in his Whisky Bible, which is not too bad.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year old Whisky

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Bright gold

NOSE: Malt and barley with hints of smoke, oaky spices and sun-dried grass, rich and complex with a fruity sweetness. Every time you smell it, it brings different notes. Apples and cinnamon hints balanced with fresh flowers. Inviting and delicious.

PALATE: Honey and apricot jam, hints of malt and cream, cream, toasted oak spices with smoky hints. Rich and complex but very drinkable. Elegant with bits of cinnamon and dried fruit, with a splendid balance between sweet and spice. Adding water makes this even more drinkable. The Johnnie Walker Gold Label is one of my favourites from the brand.

FINISH: Long and lingering with notes of honey and green grass

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious dram. I just love the rich, fruity notes balanced with the smoky hints. I will be rather sad when this bottle finishes. From what I have read, the Gold Label NAS release is not close to as delicious as this.

The Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year old blended Scotch whisky is a dram that is worth saving for a special occasion and then celebrating in golden style.

I have done a side by side comparison between this Gold Label and the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label, and HERE you can see the results.

Also Read: Glenmorangie 18 yo whisky