Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old Whisky

I can’t even remember where we got this bottle Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old blended Scotch whisky. It has been in my cupboard for ages. I think John picked it up in Dubai when he was travelling to India. It is such a beautiful bottle. The rectangle shape with the gold embossing and the XR raised in the glass.

Different than the regular square-shaped bottle A perfect bottle to use as a decanter when it is empty.  John “Johnnie” Walker began selling whisky from his grocery shop in Ayrshire, Scotland.

After he died in 1857, Alexander Walker inherited the company. Alexander, with his son Alexander Walker II, began marketing Walker’s Old Highland. They introduced the now-iconic square bottle in 1860. This meant more bottles fitting the same space and fewer broken bottles.

In 1920, Alexander Walker II received a knighthood from King George V for his services to the nation. The Johnnie Walker XR whisky was created in honour of Sir Alexander Walker’s Knighthood. A special edition release, this Johnnie Walker XR whisky is a 21 year old expression, inspired by the handwritten blending notes of Sir Alexander Walker.

Sourced from the private reserves of the Master Blender, it includes casks from silent distilleries that are no longer in production. Diageo owns the Johnnie Walker brand. The bottle retails for around R 3 000, which is slightly more expensive than the Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky (R 2 200), but a lot cheaper than the King George V. The big questions is: Is it worth the price?

Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old Whisky Review

ABV:  40% ABV

COLOUR: Golden red tinges of polished copper fill the glass.  Long oily fingers form.

NOSE:  Sweet with honey, ripening summer fruit and flowers with highlights of vanilla.  Hints of citrus peel, cinnamon and apples float around. Without water, the Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old nose promises a full-bodied, rich, smooth experience.  Adding water softens the nose and releases more wood and spice notes.

PALATE: Rich and smooth. There are notes of cinnamon spice, maple syrup and oak. The Johnnie Walker XR 21 yo whisky intertwines citrus peel with cereal notes overlaying notes of ripe fruit and vanilla. Without water, it is delicious. Adding water softens the boldness of the whisky and brings more winter spice.  But it takes away the complexity and richness.

FINISH: Medium length and end in notes of fruit and cinnamon spice. Water reduces the length of the finish.

RATING: EXCELLENT.

Don’t add water! The big question, however, was the Johnnie Walker 21 year old XR Scotch worth the price tag? It is a great whisky and a beautiful bottle, but I have tasted quite a few blended whiskies that are better and cheaper.

If anything, it is a unique bottle to have in my collection, and if you gift me a bottle, I would not complain. However, when this bottle is empty, would I buy it again?  Probably not.

I have done a comparison between the Johnnie Walker Blue Label and the Johnnie Walker XR 21 year old to see if how they differ.  You can read all about it in my Blue Label vs XR comparison post.

Related Article: Chivas Royal Salute 21 year old whisky