Johnnie Walker Island Green Whisky

This travel retail exclusive whisky is perfect for my current setting. I am trying the Johnnie Walker Island Green blended malt Scotch whisky here on the beautiful green island of Mauritius.

There is, however, nothing tropical about the Island Green whisky. It is Islay rather than island. But the colour of the box and the coconut trees around me matches, so it is as good an excuse as any.

The Johnnie Walker Island Green is a blended malt whisky and retail travel release. It blends malts from Caol Ila, Clynelish, Glenkinchie and Cardhu. So a malt from each Scottish region. Islay, Highlands, Lowlands, and Speyside. Caol Ila malts make up most of the blend, hence the reference to Island.

When you look at the make-up of Island Green vs Green Label, the Green Label has an age statement. It also blends many more malts, including Talisker, Cragganmore and Linkwood.

The Johnnie Walker Island Green blended malt Scotch whisky was released in July 2016. Because it is a travel retail release, it is available in a 1L bottle. It has no age statement. I shared my bottle with friends on the island, and the tasting notes also included their comments.

Johnnie Walker Island Green Whisky Review

ABV: 43%

COLOUR: Rich gold

NOSE: Smooth, soft peaty goodness mixed with cereals and a green earthy note. Hints of vanilla, wood and light pepper. You can’t miss the Islay base on the Island Green. My friend D said the nose reminded her of her granny’s fashioned emergency kit with rolled-up bandages and disinfectant. The peaty notes are all Caol Ila, but the Cardhu toasted wood, malt and vanilla also have a spot. Rich and delicious.

PALATE: Again, the Caol Ila stands upfront with soft peat, oak and smoke. Hints of oily fish and malt in the background. With a few drops of water, a fruity sweetness comes forward with caramel, marmalade and pepper, probably from the Glenkinchie.

Malty goodness and vanilla with bits of cinnamon. Medium body with an oily mouth feel. A few people around the table got woody notes.

FINISH: Medium length with notes of lemon pepper, oak and drying ash.

RATING: EXCELLENT

What a delicious blended malt. Between the 5 of us, we finished the bottle. The peat is drinkable even for a novice, with enough sweetness to suit many tastes. It is complex enough to entice the serious whisky drinkers in our group but approachable enough for the newbie to enjoy.

An outstanding balance between the peppery notes and fruity sweetness. A great bottle. I will restock this Johnnie Walker as soon as I travel again.

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