John has been travelling quite a bit lately and sometimes brings back fun travel retail releases for me to try. A couple of weeks ago, he brought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition whisky.
I just glanced quickly at the bottle and was perplexed as to why he brought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black home. We have some in the cupboard, and I was quite irritated that he brought a double and not something interesting.
But a closer look revealed this wasn’t the usual Black Label. Instead, it was the Johnnie Walker Black Triple Cask Edition, a Travel Retail exclusive crafted with a unique twist. Intrigued, I had to give it a try.
The Triple Cask Edition is finished in three types of casks. First, it matures in Scottish whisky and bourbon oak casks and then finishes in a Caribbean rum cask. It is a NAS release and was chill-filtered.
Diageo originally released this edition in 2018 for the Travel Retail market. Expert Blender Chris Clark crafted this whisky from a selection of whiskies, including three Speyside malts (Blair Athol, Cardhu, and Strathmill) with grain from Cameronbridge.
I do love a Johnnie Walker Black, so he was forgiven and I had to try this release while he was home for an extended period.
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Light Gold
NOSE: The nose offers a fruity sweetness with orchard fruits, green apples, and apricots. Muscavado sugar sprinkled on pineapple with hints of smoke and faint medicinal notes in the background. There is some ginger spice and green pepper.
It is a nice enough combination of sweetness and fruitiness, balanced with a touch of smoke. I am missing the bolder peat notes from a standard Black Label.
PALATE: The palate on theJohnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask edition has notes of malt and vanilla with plums and apricots mixed with wood. Some caramel, ginger and oily wood notes appear at sip number two. Any rum notes are subdued, and soft green notes appear after a few minutes.
Not the bold mouth full of the standard Black Label. Water brings more sweetness to the front and dulls the whisper of smoke in the background. The Triple Cask has a medium body and is well-rounded.
FINISH: This Johnnie Walker release has a medium finish and ends with notes of wood, fruity sweetness, and pepper.
RATING: GOOD
This whisky is smooth and drinkable, with an approachable profile, but it lacks the boldness, depth, and complexity expected from a Johnnie Walker Black Label release. The overwhelming fruity sweetness and muted smoke and peat will leave fans of Johnnie Walker Black Label feeling underwhelmed. Even comparing it to the Sherry Finish release, it is underwhelming.
I have seen mixed reviews online, and someone called it “pleasant but unremarkable and safe.” I have to agree. The bold, peaty notes of the Black Label are hidden under too much fruity sweetness.
I think this Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask edition is bland and boring. While it may appeal to newcomers or those seeking a softer, sweeter drinking experience, it doesn’t showcase any standout elements. I will probably use this Johnnie Walker in fruit-forward or tropical cocktails.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Label Whisky
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