A month or so ago, I saw a very exclusive cocktail that the Maxim Lounge at the Davinci hotel makes. This extraordinary cocktail makes Johnnie Walker King George V blended Scotch whisky the main attraction. It made me realize, I have a bottle of King George V at home, and it is open. I have never written about it, and it is time.
We opened this exclusive Johnnie Walker bottling to celebrate the birth of our daughter. After struggling to have a baby, this bottling seemed a fitting release to open in celebration. John and I have enjoyed a small glass of this whisky every year on her birthday. She turned seven not too long ago, and I better write about this bottle quickly before we finish it.
The Johnnie Walker King George V is presented in a beautifully packaged box. The cap is heavy and engraved and the whole presentation of this bottle is regal and beautiful.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky
John Walker started his empire in his grocery business with a single small shop in 1820. Just over a century later in 1934, John Walker & Sons was awarded a Royal Warrant by King George V.
By then, Johnnie Walker was already well on its way to becoming the world’s most popular Scotch Whisky. This Johnnie Walker King Georg V celebrates the granting of the Royal Warrant. It is created using whiskies from distilleries operating during George’s 25-year reign (1910 – 1936), some of which, like the famed Port Ellen, no longer exist.
Other distillery stock used in the blend includes Cardhu whisky and Lochnagar. They are blended together to reflect the distinctive Johnnie Walker style of the era. The Johnnie Walker King George V whisky was named Whisky of the Year at the International Whisky Competition 2015.
ABV: 43%
COLOUR: Rich gold
NOSE: Rich berry fruit and Christmas pudding with hints of spice and vanilla. Sweetness and caramel are floating about. The nose is complex but subtle at the same time.
PALATE: Winter spice and oak notes mixed with pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bits of honey and toffee, but not as sweet as the nose suggested. The second sip brings some citrus peel to the forefront. Faint hints of vanilla lurk somewhere. The addition of water adds smoothness. It takes some of the spice and citrus peel away and brings out more butterscotch and vanilla notes.
FINISH: Hints of nuts balanced with spices.
RATING: EXCELLENT
The price for a bottle of Johnnie Walker King George V blended whisky is around R8 000 in South Africa. It’s smooth and easy drinking – but maybe I expected more for this price. I think for the price and presentation, I expected a little more. It lacks the uniqueness and depth that I was looking for.
It is not the most complex release. Regardless, this Johnnie Walker King George V whisky will always have a very special place in my heart. It was the bottle I celebrated my only daughter’s birth with. And hopefully, it will last until she turns 18.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Gold Label whisky
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Its my dads 90th birthday in april 25th his name is george I'm thinking of getting him this for his birthday albeit a tad pricey , well its not everyday you get to this age
Not one I’ve had but it certainly sounds like one worth trying..
It is an interesting dram to try. Thank you for stopping by.
This is one I am dying to try. It can be gotten for not a bad price here non-high street, but it is still in that shirt collar-tugging price range for me. I suppose knowing how regular Blue and The Casks Edition taste, I should be able to confidently buy it ‘taste untasted’. You also make it sound pretty amazing!
It is pretty interesting, but it is very expensive in SA. If it was not for celebrating our daugther's birth, I am not sure we would have gotten it. :)