Scottish Whisky

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Blended Scotch Whisky

40% ABV
$220 – $250
Website

What the Blender Says
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an unrivalled masterpiece. It is an exquisite blend made from some of Scotland’s rarest and most exceptional whiskies. Only one in every ten thousand casks has the elusive quality, character and flavour to deliver the’ remarkable signature taste of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. An extraordinary whisky for extraordinary occasions.

FLAVOR
NOSE: Take in the wonderfully mellow, rounded nose – replete with dry smokiness artfully mixed with the sweetness of raisins.
PALATE: Serving a velvety combination of vanilla, honey and rose petals – before broadening out to include a zesty orange flavor with notes of hazelnut, sherry and dark chocolate.
FINISH: Signing off with a rich and luxuriously long finish, which showcases Johnnie Walker’s trademark smokiness in the most sophisticated way.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Nice with a bit of sherry, peat, and nutty spice with dark fruit; hint of pipe smoke while laid back in an old overstuffed leather chair.
Palate:  Creamy rich mouthfeel, fruity (melons and raisins), hints of chocolate with allspice, nutmeg, anise and dark candy.
Finish:  Long, slow and mellowing.
Comments:  This is one of the main reasons I wanted this sample pack.  I’ve been wanting to try Johnnie Walker Blue for years, but not enough to buy a whole bottle (and not wanting to try it in a bar/restaurant where the environment isn’t often conducive to giving a dram my full attention.  In comparison to the Platinum 18 yr, I found this to be only a marginal step up in the line-up. On its own, it is a very nice pour. It is absolutely one of the more intensely flavored drams I’ve had at only 40% ABV. Nothing objectionable either – very well balanced, and I appreciate the craftsmanship that went into blending this.  It too leaves me wanting to try it at a higher proof, and for my tastes, there are plenty of bottles I’d pick over this for the money.
Rating: Stands Out

(Richard and Matt had reviewed this as part of a ‘taste off’ in 2009; below are their notes from that post)

What Richard Says:
Nose:  Peatier and smokier than most blends. You can really smell the Islay in here. Fresh cut wood and non-orange citrus. Limes maybe?
Palate:  An initial sweetness quickly shoved aside for a rich smokiness that settles to brine notes of the sea. Rich, complicated, and ever changing on the palate.
Finish:  A very slow and long finish. It leaves you with a mellow smokiness more subtle than the robust smoke on the palate.
Rating: Must Try

What Matt Says:
Nose:  Peat, chocolate, honey suckle and other sweet florals. Quite lovely.
Palate:  Very smooth, but a little one-dimensional. There are some very light hints of peat, but mostly sweet and fruity.
Finish: Peaty and dry.
Rating: Stands Out

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Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Years Old

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Years Old
40% ABV
$120
Website
Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 Year
What the Blender Says
Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year Old was inspired by the tradition of giving private blends to a close circle of family friends by John Walker & Sons. Blended from whiskies that have matured for at least 18 years, it combines sophisticated and contemporary tastes with classic Johnnie Walker flavours. When you want to make a special occasion truly exceptional, Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year Old is the discerning choice.
FLAVOURS
Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year Old blends big, classic Johnnie Walker flavours with intriguing contemporary notes of citrus and fragrant almonds. Initially sweet with a warm vanilla undercurrent and a suggestion of tangerines, it moves smoothly over the palate into a nutty, malty dryness before a long finish brings elegant suggestions of soft charcoal smokiness and a beautifully fading citrus zest.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Sherried smoke with subtle dark fruit behind sea air; bit of allspice, cigar paper and sour oak.
Palate:  Soft entry with a slightly creamy mouthfeel, sweet fruit with savory vegetal notes, hints of peat and smoke.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying.
Comments:  Tasting this as part of the Johnnie Walker Sampler Pack (which includes their Black, Gold Label Reserve, this, and Blue).  If you’re not familiar with Johnnie Walker’s lineup, this is a cost effective way to get a large enough sample of each to spend some quality time with them.  This was a definite step up from the Gold Label Reserve. A nice pour that is well balanced, with a bit of several things (sherry, smoke, peat, fruit). While I enjoy it, it isn’t squarely in my wheelhouse – especially for the money. And again – while quite easy to drink at this proof, I’d love to try this at a higher proof.
Rating: Stands Out

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Glenfarclas 25 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Glenfarclas 25 Year

43% ABV
$140-$180
Website
Glenfarclas 25yr

What the Distiller Says

100% Oloroso sherry cask maturation.
A great after-dinner whisky so rich and full that it is a dessert in itself, with a finish that goes on forever.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Amber with dark-gold highlights.
Nose: Complex, yet refined, with tempting aromas of marmalade, honey, freshly ground coffee, sherry and nuts. Some oaky tannins.
Flavour: Full-bodied and robust, the sherry and the oak fight for your attention yet neither overpowering.
Finish: Intense, long lasting, dry and malty. A beautiful dark chocolate taste at the back of your mouth to complete the 25 years old.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Herbal, grassy, vegetal with notes of green tobacco and leather; a bit of water brings out a subtle sweetness with peaches and honey.
Palate:  Bam! Sherried almonds in fruits salad with pears, honey, chocolate and nutmeg sprinkled in; a subtle port-like nuance going on.
Finish:  Long, nutty sweetness with a spice kick at the end (when you get there).
Comments:  This is even lighter in color than the 21 yr AND the 17 yr (very odd). The nose was a bit of an enigma; like the 17 yr, it is a departure from the rest of the range – lacking in those sherried dark fruit notes you expect with an aged single malt that’s been in Oloroso sherry this long. But it makes a big comeback on the palate, delivering those sweet fruity notes. I got a port-like sweetness near the end on the palate, which I particularly liked (like the 21 yr, left me to wonder if there was other wood involved – but there isn’t). A delicious dram, although with a beguiling nose.

Rating: Stands Out

(Richard had reviewed this as part of a Whisky Advent calendar; below are his notes from that review)

What Richard Says

Nose: Rich, deep, and refined sherry character with just a little bit of oak and tannins in the back.
Palate: Creamed honey, lighter sherry than the nose would foretell, oak, and a pinch of cracked pepper.
Finish: Lots of lingering cocoa powder and oak.
Comments: This is a lovely example of an older sherried single malt. Glenfarclas also seems to be priced rather attractively for a 25 year old. However, this particular malt is a little less complex than I would expect or hope for. Oak, tannins, and sherry are the predominate notes (understandably) but I’m not getting much else. Even still, this is a very nice dram and one you should consider trying, given the opportunity.

Rating: Stands Out

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Glenfarclas 21 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside / ,

Glenfarclas 21 Year
43% ABV
$115-$140
Website

What the Distiller Says
100% Oloroso sherry cask maturation.
An incredibly rounded whisky that leaves you refreshed and contented. A whisky that always deserves a second glass.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Dark amber-gold.
Nose: Intense, full of aromas – sherried fruit, tropical fruit, nutmeg and almonds with slight citrus notes at the end.
Flavour: Full bodied rich and rounded, develops slowly into fruity and spicy flavours.
Finish: Long-lasting and smooth with a chocolate feel at the back of your throat.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Thick and rich, sherried raisins, apricots, figs; a hint of barbecue sauce (vinegar, brown sugar) with a subtle nutty spice; notes of tobacco, leather and coffee cake
Palate:  Rich sherry sweetness, cherries, peaches, toasted orange marmalade with walnuts; creamy mouthfeel to start but then sharpens with toffee and nutmeg.
Finish:  Moderately long, sweet, drying with a smokey/nutty spice.
Comments:  A delicious whisky by all accounts – and a flavor intensity I rarely experience with a 43% ABV dram. A fair amount of complexity, nicely balanced between sweet, spicy, and oaky elements, a creamy mouthfeel – until it isn’t. Thus far, this is my favorite offering from Glenfarclas (with the 15 yr being a close second). Not quite as sharp as some of the others, but enough of that unmistakenable Glenfarclas edge you don’t doubt its heritage. Even at 43%, it handles a little water nicely – with the fruit notes stepping up, but not losing the spiciness.
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Glenfarclas 17 Year

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Speyside /

Glenfarclas 17 Year
43% ABV
$100
Website

What the Distiller Says
100% Oloroso sherry cask maturation.
Hints of oak, complexity but finely balanced. Combines the smoothness of our younger whiskies with the greater depth of our older expressions.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Rich amber.
Nose: Complex, with distinctive butterscotch and sherried fruit.
Flavour: Big, full-flavoured, with excellent balance, develops slowly, full of sherry sweet malty tones.
Finish: Long lasting and smooth, with a hint of spice and sherry sweetness.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Bright, fruity w/ kiwi, peaches, honey, and cherry pie; subtle smoke with worn leather and a hint of rubber.
Palate:  Sweet sherry fruit salad with a creamy mouthfeel at the start, sharpening to tart cherries with milk chocolate, pepper spice, and oak.
Finish:  Long with a fruity sweetness trailing some smokey notes.
Comments:  This is lighter in color than the 15 (just a shade darker than the 12 yr), and a different beast all together. Where it seems a steady progression from 10 to 12 to 15, my first thought was to wonder if this might be aged or finished in a different wood as it seems to be brighter and less spicy. This also didn’t open up nearly as well to water.  Nothing objectionable of off-putting, but left me wanting the 15 yr.
Rating: Average

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