Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Location: Kilmarnock, Scotland
Proof: 80
Distiller website
Rating: A-
Today we follow up our last review of the Johnnie Walker Black Label with their new release, the Double Black Label. The Double Black pours up a deep honey-amber color and looks identical to the Black Label in color when placed side-by-side. The nose has the same peat, oak and vanilla from the Black Label along with a big helping of wood smoke.
On the palate the Double Black Label has peat smoke up front along with some black pepper spiciness. There are notes of vanilla, oak and iodine as well, but they are further in the background than the Black Label. There is also a hint of oaked red wine here as well. The mouthfeel is tannicly astringent just like the Black Label. On the finish, the Double Black Label has vanilla sweetness paired with pit barbecue smoke.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the Double Black Label, but what I found was remarkably close to the original Black Label. The vanilla and smoke notes were bigger on the double black and the iodine and sweetness (particularly on the finish) were a little toned down. There is a nice black pepper spiciness in the Double Black as well. I think I was expecting something drastically bigger or different with the Double Black Label, but what I found instead was just a bit of a modification to the original. While the Double Black Label is not a "rush out and buy this now" kind of release, it is still an excellent whisky on its own merit.
Showing posts with label Scotch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotch. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Keywords:
Johnnie Walker,
Scotch
Distillery: Johnnie Walker
Location: Kilmarnock, Scotland
Age: 12 years
Proof: 80
Distiller website
Rating: A-
We're doing some scotch reviews this week to test out some recent acquisitions of mine, namely the Glencairn whisky tasting glass and Johnnie Walker's Double Black Label. We're going to start off today with the original Black Label to have a comparison for its "double" brother. Johnnie Walker Black Label pours up a deep honey-amber in color. The nose detects peat, smoke, oak and some seaweed.
On the palate, peat is the dominant flavor. Smokiness and oak play the lead support roles. Some iodine notes (similar to bacon or seaweed) are here along with hints of vanilla, unsweetened chocolate and cherries. Johnnie Walker Black Label has a slightly astringent, tannic mouthfeel. The finish is slightly sweet, with oak and fading peat. The sweet note is the last to fade in the end.
Johnnie Walker Black Label has long been my go-to blended scotch. It has the classic Islay peat and iodine flavor I love (largely owing to the Lagavulin used in the blend) without being overpowering. This is one of my all-time favorite pairings for a sweet, chocolaty dessert.
Location: Kilmarnock, Scotland
Age: 12 years
Proof: 80
Distiller website
Rating: A-
We're doing some scotch reviews this week to test out some recent acquisitions of mine, namely the Glencairn whisky tasting glass and Johnnie Walker's Double Black Label. We're going to start off today with the original Black Label to have a comparison for its "double" brother. Johnnie Walker Black Label pours up a deep honey-amber in color. The nose detects peat, smoke, oak and some seaweed.
On the palate, peat is the dominant flavor. Smokiness and oak play the lead support roles. Some iodine notes (similar to bacon or seaweed) are here along with hints of vanilla, unsweetened chocolate and cherries. Johnnie Walker Black Label has a slightly astringent, tannic mouthfeel. The finish is slightly sweet, with oak and fading peat. The sweet note is the last to fade in the end.
Johnnie Walker Black Label has long been my go-to blended scotch. It has the classic Islay peat and iodine flavor I love (largely owing to the Lagavulin used in the blend) without being overpowering. This is one of my all-time favorite pairings for a sweet, chocolaty dessert.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Scapa 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Distillery: Scapa Distillery
Location: Orkney, Scotland
Age: 16 years
Proof: 40% (80 Proof)
Distiller website
Rating: A+
Tonight's tasting is my most recent addition to my scotch collection, the Scapa 16-Year from the Orkney Isles of Scotland. Don't let its island heritage deceive you, however. This single malt is not the typical smoky peat flamethrower like its cousins from Islay and Skye. This is a well-balanced whisky with a distinctive character of its own.
The Scapa is a golden, honey amber in color. The nose detects sweet honey and banana aromas. There is also a whiff of aged tobacco in the background.
The Scapa 16-Year leads with sweet fruit on the palate, with flavors of sweet cherry and banana. There is some smoke and peatiness but it is here as a complimentary note; not the lead player like many other island malts. Sea salt and oak flavors are also present here in noticable quantities. There is a long, silky-smooth finish that lingers pleasantly for some time.
The Scapa 16-Year Old is smooth, balanced scotch whisky that has something for everyone. Scotch neophytes will enjoy the smooth sweetness. Connoisseurs will enjoy the balance and complexity. And those who like to mix with club soda or ginger ale should find a good mixing scotch here as well. The Scapa plays out like a musical chord with sweetness playing the lead and peat, salt and oak singing harmony. If you're looking for a high-end single malt to invest in for your collection, your money will be well spent on this 16 year old masterpiece.
Location: Orkney, Scotland
Age: 16 years
Proof: 40% (80 Proof)
Distiller website
Rating: A+
Tonight's tasting is my most recent addition to my scotch collection, the Scapa 16-Year from the Orkney Isles of Scotland. Don't let its island heritage deceive you, however. This single malt is not the typical smoky peat flamethrower like its cousins from Islay and Skye. This is a well-balanced whisky with a distinctive character of its own.
The Scapa is a golden, honey amber in color. The nose detects sweet honey and banana aromas. There is also a whiff of aged tobacco in the background.
The Scapa 16-Year leads with sweet fruit on the palate, with flavors of sweet cherry and banana. There is some smoke and peatiness but it is here as a complimentary note; not the lead player like many other island malts. Sea salt and oak flavors are also present here in noticable quantities. There is a long, silky-smooth finish that lingers pleasantly for some time.
The Scapa 16-Year Old is smooth, balanced scotch whisky that has something for everyone. Scotch neophytes will enjoy the smooth sweetness. Connoisseurs will enjoy the balance and complexity. And those who like to mix with club soda or ginger ale should find a good mixing scotch here as well. The Scapa plays out like a musical chord with sweetness playing the lead and peat, salt and oak singing harmony. If you're looking for a high-end single malt to invest in for your collection, your money will be well spent on this 16 year old masterpiece.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch
Distillery: Laphroaig Distillery
Location: Islay, Scotland
Proof: 48% (96 Proof)
Distiller Homepage
Rating: B+
Laphroaig Quarter Cask is a scotch whisky that has been moved into smaller quarter-casks partway through the maturation process to finish aging. By maturing in smaller barrels, there is greater surface area for the whisky to be in contact with the wood. This is intended to amplify the characteristics that wood typically imparts on the aging whisky, such as smoothness and sweetness.
Laphroiag Quarter Cask has a golden color reminiscent of an oak-aged Chardonnay. As it is not chill-filtered, it becomes hazy with the addition of cold water or a few ice cubes. (Side note - While many prefer to taste their scotches neat with a splash of water, I prefer mine undiluted over a couple of ice cubes. I enjoy the evolution as the scotch travels through a range of dilution and temperature levels.) The nose is dominated by the typical peat smoke aroma of an Islay malt, with a healthy dose of oak mixed in. Also detectable is a hint of the salt-air seashore aroma that the coastal Islay distilleries frequently exhibit.
At first taste, there is quite a fiery sensation on the tongue owing to the high proof. This sensation softens up quite nicely for me as my ice melts. All the typical Laphroaig flavor is here in spades, with strong smoky peatiness leading the way. The other strong note is the oak flavor, which is unusually distinct compared to most Islay scotches. Other notable bit players are a seaweed saltiness and a hint of sweet vanilla. The Laphroaig Quarter Cask has a very long finish where the saltiness and sweetness really start to shine through.
By way of comparison, the Quarter Cask is definitely smoother than a young 10-12 year old malt. No doubt the extra contact with the oak barrel makes a notable difference. Still, extra surface area is not an alternative to extra time in the barrel (I know; I've had the great pleasure of sampling the 30-year old Laphroaig - best scotch I've ever had by a mile). I find that some of the more subtle tones of the whisky can be a bit buried behind the strong oakiness in this malt.
Location: Islay, Scotland
Proof: 48% (96 Proof)
Distiller Homepage
Rating: B+
Laphroaig Quarter Cask is a scotch whisky that has been moved into smaller quarter-casks partway through the maturation process to finish aging. By maturing in smaller barrels, there is greater surface area for the whisky to be in contact with the wood. This is intended to amplify the characteristics that wood typically imparts on the aging whisky, such as smoothness and sweetness.
Laphroiag Quarter Cask has a golden color reminiscent of an oak-aged Chardonnay. As it is not chill-filtered, it becomes hazy with the addition of cold water or a few ice cubes. (Side note - While many prefer to taste their scotches neat with a splash of water, I prefer mine undiluted over a couple of ice cubes. I enjoy the evolution as the scotch travels through a range of dilution and temperature levels.) The nose is dominated by the typical peat smoke aroma of an Islay malt, with a healthy dose of oak mixed in. Also detectable is a hint of the salt-air seashore aroma that the coastal Islay distilleries frequently exhibit.
At first taste, there is quite a fiery sensation on the tongue owing to the high proof. This sensation softens up quite nicely for me as my ice melts. All the typical Laphroaig flavor is here in spades, with strong smoky peatiness leading the way. The other strong note is the oak flavor, which is unusually distinct compared to most Islay scotches. Other notable bit players are a seaweed saltiness and a hint of sweet vanilla. The Laphroaig Quarter Cask has a very long finish where the saltiness and sweetness really start to shine through.
By way of comparison, the Quarter Cask is definitely smoother than a young 10-12 year old malt. No doubt the extra contact with the oak barrel makes a notable difference. Still, extra surface area is not an alternative to extra time in the barrel (I know; I've had the great pleasure of sampling the 30-year old Laphroaig - best scotch I've ever had by a mile). I find that some of the more subtle tones of the whisky can be a bit buried behind the strong oakiness in this malt.
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