Johnnie Walker Black Label enjoys a smoother, better integrated, and more convincingly blended presentation. There is a smokey presence throughout but it stays in the background. A blend that offers a refined, intense expression of the Chivas signature style. Johnnie Black brings the smoke in first and then slowly progresses to the more mild aromas. Johnnie Walker Black is a 12-year-old blended whisky that's higher quality than their Red label, but not a premium product. If you find it snap it up, or two or three. Vital Stats: 40% ABV (80 proof), no age statement, blended Scotch whisky, available in the low to mid $40 range per 750 ml bottle.. Kirkland Signature London Dry Gin 44% (USA) $17.99. Johnnie Walker Black Label. Jim Murrray's Best Blended Scotch Whisky of the Year for 2009. Alexander Murray & Co is an independent scotch bottler company run by Steve Lipp. The discontinued, then re-released yet tough to find Green Label, earlier named the Johnnie Walker Pure Malt 15-Year-Old was a blended malt Scotch. Johnnie Walker, Blue Label, King George V, Blended Scotch Whisky. Johnnie Walker Red abel Blended Scotch Whisky, (80 Proof) 1.75 L. Kirkland Signature 12-Year Blended Scotch Scotland. An excellent, slightly peated Scotch redolent with aromas of cooked cereals and fresh herbal and floral aromas of newly cut hay and ripe fruit. Johnnie Walker Green, Gold or Blue are the premium versions of this company's whisky. Those changes have included the proliferation of age statements on blends as well as the release of ultra-premium blends both with and without age statements. To be sure, in the last several decades this segment has seen dramatic changes and a significant premiumization of the category. Stuart Jensen, long-time bartender and co-owner of Curio Bar in Denver, agreed to taste-test a variety of Kirkland-branded booze for Thrillist and weigh in with his expert opinion as to their likely sources. A rock solid blend. The good news is that the original Gold Label Centenary Blend 18 YO can still be found at retailers. First aged in ex-bourbon casks and then married in a vat for a second extended aging. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old / Bot.1980s. The overall flavor experience is more muted compared to the  HP 12. Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whiskey 12 Years Old (40% ABV, $39 for 750mL, sampled from a 375mL flask). For the holidays, Pernod Ricard is suggesting their Chivas Regal 18 year old Gold Signature blended Scotch as an alternative to the globally known and respected, but exorbitantly expensive, Johnnie… I really like them both and it is difficult to have to choose between the two. Notwithstanding the tremendous growth in demand for single malt Scotch whisky, two-thirds of Scotch whisky sales are still in the form of blends. Nose: Significant oak presence.Notes of plum wine, cinnamon almonds, solvent, vanilla. Tasting Notes: Johnnie Walker Double Black. The Dewars 12 has more wayward spirit heat and more of the unwelcome flavors of not fully matured grain whisky peeking out at the end of the mid-palate and into the finish. A smooth, sherried Scotch whisky owned by Diageo. Mellow Gold was added to the Famous Grouse core range in 2015. An amazing blend. Vinopolis in Gibraltar has it for $150, but you will have to pick it up yourself. All your favorite local stores. The Antiquary 12 Year Old ... Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old Islay Origin . Many are multiple award winners. Winner: Highland Park 12 by a small margin. How to build a great set of golf clubs for under $800: Players Clubs, Scotch 100 Review #47: Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Glencoe 8 year blended malt review: Scotch 100 Review #46, Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition: Scotch 100 Review #45, Scotch Battle #1 Glenlivet 12 vs. Glenfiddich 12. November 19, 2012 March 24, 2015 The Scotch Noob Reviews 61 Comments 30950 views . A blended whisky made to celebrate the award of a Royal Warrant to Johnnie Walker by George V. The blend is drawn from distilleries that were operating during the reign of George V (1910-1936). Appearance: Deep caramel with reddish tones.Medium strong legs. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old Bot.1980s. 1.75 L. Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky. It will be interesting to see how they comapre, especially given the drastic scoring difference between the two when I reviewed them individually. Looking to move up market, then consider the Chivas Regal Ultis, NAS, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $140. The Highland Park 12 is more complex and the flavors are more distinct. Palate: Smoky and sweet.Honey, clove, wood fire smoke, … This is a blended malt whisky, what used to be called vatted malts, and only contains single malts. I like my scotches to linger around and allow me to enjoy the experience as long as possible. For Johnnie Walker, this is a depth of skill, dedication and knowledge of Scotch whisky types that stretches back nearly two centuries to the earliest blends of the founder himself. Finishes with a lingering toffee, wet stone, and spice fade. Enter your email address below to be notified when this product is available. Rounding out the nose is a hint of smoke and wet or decaying wood. In the end the Johnnie Walker was too soft and mild for my preference, and I overall preferred the Highland Park 12. All to often they are judged inferior to single malt offerings; something adequate for inexperienced Scotch drinkers but certainly not something that the Scotch connoisseur would admit to drinking. They all offer an excellent whisky that is available at a compelling price in relation to its peers. Rich, smooth and complex. There are also some chocolate and berries as well towards the end but not as distinct as the HP 12. It’s a great value and once it’s gone will never be repeated. This 24 year old Kirkland Blended Scotch, like all Kirkland Scotch, is sourced and bottled by Alexander Murray & Co. Blended Scotch Whisky; 100cl / 43% Add to Wishlist. Check Price . Consider also the Dewar’s Signature, NAS, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $160. Sláinte, © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. While you get the opportunity to drink older whiskeys at lower prices than the brand name stuff, you sacrifice knowing the source. The Rundown: World famous blend with a slightly smokey demeanor but an overall middle of the road character. Price: $32, but I bought a mini for $5 for this comparison. I state that as an observation and not necessarily as a derogatory remark. Created in 1820 under the name “Old Special Highland Whisky”, Johnnie Walker Black was so named in 1909 as the brand’s customers had started to … Chivas Regal, 12 YO Blended Scotch Whisky. The Highland Park begins mellow with a mild mixture of bourbon and sherry cask notes but then finishes with hints of smoke. The Double Black was named Best Blended Scotch in the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Batch 27 refers to the practice of blending 27 barrels at a time for each bottling. You can sometimes find it overseas for around $200. An exceptionally smooth whisky in the Dewar’s style. Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Rating: 562 Rabble: 3.8 Price: $42.00; Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Rating: 676 Rabble: 3.8 Price: $400.00; Compass Box Flaming Heart Blended Scotch Rating: 643 Rabble: 4.8 Price: $150.00 Then I started to consider the fact that I’m not particularly fond of Walker Black and I realized that it wouldn’t be a particularly fair comparison from the outset. See wine-searcher.com for retailers still carrying it. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Fresh and floral, with “green leaves” on the nose, this 12-year-old whisky from Johnnie Walker “segues into a savory note on the nose,” one taster said. See also UK based mail order vendors like The Whiskey Exchange or Master of Malt, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Centenary 18 YO Blended Scotch Whisky. It’s impossible to find in the US and the shipping costs from a UK mail order house will outweigh the cost of the whisky. The favourite Scotch of Sir Winston Churchill; a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black … 88 • Kirkland Signature 20 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46% (Scotland) $57.99. The iconic Chivas Regal brand witnessed humble beginnings out of a grocery store in King Street, Aberdeen, Scotland in 1801, before going on to introduce the world’s first luxury blended Scotch whisky. ... Caol Ila 12 Year [$65; drizly.com] Johnnie Walker Black Label was originally known as 'Extra Special Old Highland'. The mouthfeel of the JW feels more watery, showing its hand as a blend and a lower ABV. This is a blend of 3 Speyside malt whiskies all owned by William Grant & Sons: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. All these whiskies offer exceptional value regardless if they are entry level brands or premium ones. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year-Old Blended Scotch Whisky Review Charles-Philippe 2019-11-19T09:41:23-05:00 Before it was famously (or infamously) awarded 94 points by Jim Murray, Johnnie Walker Black Label was already a celebrated whisky. It is a blend of 5 single malts: Tormore, Longmorn, Allt A’Bhainne, Braevel and Strathisla. Up next on the scotch battle lineup is Highland Park 12 vs. Johnnie Walker Black. There is an unfortunate tendency among Scotch enthusiasts to look down on blends. ABV: 40% Flavor Profile: Fruity & Tart Distiller Score: 82. Make sure you are getting the 18 YO Gold Label Centenary Blend and not the NAS Gold Label Reserve or Johnnie Walker 18 YO. Johnnie Walker--the man whose name would grace the bottles of more scotch whisky than any other brand in the 21st century--was born in 1805 and began as a grocery store manager at age 14 in 1819. The smoke is definatly a role player on the team, with the stars being the berries and caramel. Thoughts: Both of these drams have very similar characteristics when it comes to smell, however the order in which they are presented is reversed. Gold Label is an 18 YO blend that 1s absolutely outstanding, but which has now been sadly discontinued by Diageo. At an average price of $80 it’s also a terrific value. There’s something here to suit every taste and every wallet! 3. Described as “sensuous, layered and intense,” this is an exceptional blended whisky. It will be interesting to see how they comapre, especially given the drastic scoring difference between the two wh… The finish was a little shorter than I was hoping for. Chivas Regal 18 year old is a premium blended scotch whisky meant for sipping neat, but if you feel the urge to upgrade an old fashioned you’ll be hard pressed outdo this reliable scotch whisky brand. Monkey Shoulder, Batch 27, Blended Malt Whisky. Here goes: Dewars White Label is the number one selling scotch in the World. Like Johnnie Walker, Dewar’s is one of the most well-known names in the blended Scotch game. The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold Blended Scotch Whisky. You may opt-out by. Right away I taste sweet sherry and caramel followed by chocolate and raspberries. It is a blend of 15 whiskies, each at least 18 years old built around the unmistakeable honeyed notes of Clynelish single malt. The Johnnie Walker’s flavors felt muted in comparison and contained a watered down feeling. A superby well crafted blended whisky. For other spirit ideas see Finding The Perfect Father’s Day Gift. The best-selling Scotch whiskies fall into the latter category, with familiar names like Johnnie Walker, Grant’s, and Chivas leading the pack. Based on Glenkinchie and Linkwood malts with additions from other northern highland distilleries. But is Johnnie Walker Black Label superior to Glenfiddich? Scotland- The original Walker family blend, handcrafted from as many as 40 of the finest Scotch whiskies aged a minimum of 12 years, for a smooth and robust blend. Blended with whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years, there’s a reason the name Johnnie Walker makes scotch lovers’ mouths water a little. It is a more sherried version of the regular Famous Grouse bottling. Unfortunately, this is another impossible to find whisky in the US. An incredibly outstanding value is The Famous Grouse, 30 YO, 43% ABV, 700 ml. I also earned the Diploma in Wines and Spirits from the WSET. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. Rich smoky malt, peat and sherry fruit character deliver a satisfyingly complex flavor on the long, lingering finish. Have tasted a lot of wines and spirits, from 200-year-old ports to centuries old Cognacs to many of the world’s oldest whiskies. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Brothers, James and John Chivas labored to create the finest blended Scotch whisky that would establish the Chivas Regal brand as pioneers in the art of whisky blending. Great Prices, from multiple stores. Chivas Regal, 12 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $30. With the JW the smoke is right up front and infused with strawberries and a faint hint of citrus lemon. The Highland Park is more smokey and complex, while the JW tastes simple and has a bad aftertaste. I chose this as an intriguing matchup in order to see first hand the differences between a single malt and blend, when both scotches have similar flavor profiles. It reminds me of vanilla wafer cookies. After some time, amaretto and caramel become more present. This product is currently out of stock. Which blended scotch is better Dewars or Johnnie Walker? Blended with discerning whiskeys that have been matured in oak casks for a minimum of 12 years. My non scotch drinking wife’s brief input: Both are not enjoyable but they are not off-putting either . At the beginning of our quest, we have gathered all the information on the company that stands behind the Kirkland brand scotch. The Highland Park scored an 87, while the Johnnie Black came in at 77. imported by MISA Imports, inc. Dallas TX bottled for Alexander Murray & Co LTD - comparable to Johnny Walker Black. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old Blended Scotch 750ml A silky entry leads to a dryish medium body of honey buttered wheat toast, roasted nuts, dried banana, and peppery spice. The Rundown: Single malt with a well-rounded flavor profile including light amounts of sherry, vanilla, and smoke. The Highland Park is better on the palate, but it just disappeared so quickly. 750 ml. 88110011307 Johnnie holds his own better than I thought, and I was very impressed with the fight the blend put up against a single malt. Why Instacart? Smooth, warm, smoky, and—let’s be honest—pretty damn sexy. Up next on the scotch battle lineup is Highland Park 12 vs. Johnnie Walker Black. Kirkland 12 year Blended Scotch vs. Chivas Regal 12 year ... My first thought was Johnnie Walker Black Label. Another, often forgotten blended whisky that offers exceptional value for the price. I’ve always (since I began drinking scotch) had a lively lack of respect for the Johnnie Walker line of blended scotch from Diageo. These two drams performed a lot closer than I anticipated going into the battle, especially when comparing the previous scoring of 87 and 77. Costco 12 Year Blended Scotch - is it worth the extra 15 bucks? Dewars White Label is very ORDINARY. Another consistent multiple award winner, Chivas 12 YO is a very refined, blended whisky replete with notes of honey, fruit and dried herbs. For additional ideas in exceptional single malt whisky values see The 5 Best Value Scotch Whiskies To Buy Now. Some of these distilleries, liked the famed Port Ellen distillery, are no longer in operation. Jim Murray gave it a 95-point score, among the highest he has ever given to a blended Scotch whisky. More By Johnnie Walker Within a few decades in 1843, the allure of the mythical Chivas Regal blend was enough to procure a Royal Warrant from Queen Victoria, earnin… I also write about the dusty, forgotten places of the world, the ones that reek of history and whose stories still resonate in the 21st century. An eclectic combination to be sure, then again, the state of the world would drive anyone to drink. I prefer the smell of the Highland Park, due to the more prominent oak and wood notes. Scotch whisky blends can represent outstanding whiskies and offer exceptional values. It was nice while it lasted with a sweetness, some cherry flavor, and a lot of malt. Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whisky ... Costco sells 100,000+ cases of its scotch per year. Dewars 12 Year is good but why spend that kind of money. Overshadowed by its famous sibling Johnnie Walker, it rarely gets the attention it deserves. An exceptional value for the price. 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Along the way I became a winemaker, Oregon Pinot Noir; a judge for various international, I have been writing and speaking about wines and spirits for 20 years. Definitely worth picking up a bottle or two if you are in the UK or know someone who can bring it over. Rich tropical fruits and a sweet hint of vanilla on the nose, with big oak and creamy toffee flavors on the palate. Thoughts: Once again both drams have very similar profiles, but the Highland Park’s flavors come through more distinctly and have complexity and depth. So both the grain and malt whiskies have all been aged to a minimum of 12 years, and you think that must be a good thing. It was renamed Johnnie Walker Black Label in 1909. If your wallet can afford it, they go for the Chivas Regal, 25 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $280. Dewar’s 12 Years Old Double Aged Blended Scotch Whiskey (40% ABV, $33 for 750 mL, sampled from a 50mL mini). Below is a selection of outstanding blended Scotch whiskies. Both have similar taste profiles, but the Highland Park is a single malt while then Johnnie Walker Black is one of the most well-known blends on the market. That’s unfortunate. For a brief review of the rating system and terms, please refer to the Scotch Battle main page. Kirkland Brand & Scotch. Exceptionally rich and creamy it offers a complex and nuanced array of aromas and flavors. There was a hint of alcohol burn, but nothing too outputting. I have been writing and speaking about wines and spirits for 20 years. The name Monkey Shoulder is a reference to a repetitive shoulder injury caused by shoveling malted barley by hand. Like its siblings it is based on Macallan, Glenturret and Highland Park malts and uses a higher proportion of first fill sherry casks than the regular Famous Grouse. It is based primarily on Cragganmore and Glendullan malts. Johnnie Walker Black Label (12 year) Blended Scotch. The rest of the time I cover international politics. It was discontinued by Diageo, the parent organization behind Johnnie Walker in 2012, and re-introduced in 2016 although it continues to be elusive and is … Can it hold its own against Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year, the market leader? You know from the label that the JW Black is a 12-year old whisky. Both have similar taste profiles, but the Highland Park is a single malt while then Johnnie Walker Black is one of the most well-known blends on the market. The Famous Grouse 18 YO, 43% ABV, 750 ml, is much easier to find in the US. Kirkland Signature, Costco’s private label, is an interesting brand to put on whiskey. They range from entry level brands to premium selections. However this battle was closer than what the price of each bottle and their reputations would lead you to believe. Not Available. Johnnie’s finish was longer filled with more sweet cookies and amaretto. 89 • Kirkland Signature 12 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky 40% (Scotland) $38.99. Head to head, it's a little bit of a conundrum. There is nice vanilla, caramel,  and toffee but also married with sherry notes including chocolate and cherries. He thinks the Kirkland Signature Blended Scotch Whiskey is likely distilled either by Diageo (who owns Johnnie Walker) or Bacardi (who produce Dewar's, according to The Whiskey Wash). Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Blended Scotch Whisky, no age statement, 40%, $180 Kirkland Signature: Blended Scotch Whisky, 24 years old, 40%, $70 Johnny Walker Blue is a status symbol whisky. Your email address will not be published. These are the same malts used in the Chivas range of blended whiskies. Along the way I became a winemaker, Oregon Pinot Noir; a judge for various international competitions, among them the Irish Whisky Awards and the International Wine and Spirits Competition; wrote a book on Scotch Whisky: Its History, Production and Appreciation and working on one on Tequila. Nose : JW: the nose right out of the bottle wasn’t too bad, but after sitting the grain alcohol really came forward, joined by overly sour apples. The recommended list price is around $450, but is available from retailers for as little as $310 per bottle. Also very sweet, but with tastes of vanilla malt. Review: Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Years Old (2019) Robert Lublin October 22, 2019 It’s been more than 10 years since we reviewed Johnnie Walker’s iconic Black Label ( here ) and, considering it’s one of the best-selling Scotch whiskies in the world, we thought the ubiquitous blended Scotch deserved a fresh review. Unavailable in Great Britain, it’s the Scotch whisky Brits bring home from overseas trips. I chose this as an intriguing matchup in order to see first hand the differences between a single malt and blend, when both scotches have similar flavor profiles. Kirkland 12 year old blended scotch whiskey - Alexander Murray & Co LTD, Aberdeen, Scotland 1.75 litters 80 proof. Johnnie Walker Black Label, a blended Scotch whisky Courtesy Image ... Aberfeldy 16 Year, a single-malt Scotch whisky Courtesy Image. An outstanding value, even at an average price of $160. versus. This is a blended malt whisky drawn from what the distillery calls the top 1% of its casks. Johnnie Walker Black Label is the top-selling de luxe Scotch whisky in the duty-free market worldwide. Thoughts: I prefer the finish of the Johnnie Walker. 92 • Kirkland Signature Blended … Another consistent multiple award winner, Chivas 12 YO … It was replaced by Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, a NAS whisky that unfortunately offers a completely different aroma and taste profile than its illustrious predecessor. Instacart delivers fresh groceries. Both drams were easy to drink and tasted great, but the difference was fairly obvious.