Ballentine's 17 Year old

★★★★★

Score: 88/100
ABV: 43%

Region: Scotland
Body: Medium   
Intensity: Light-medium
Texture: Medium  
Balance: Superb 
Best served: Neat

Theme(s): Citrus, zest, pepper, honey, cocoa, oak
Likes: Sharp citrus and cocoa with a spice attack 
Dislikes: Taste skewed to bitter side 
Price: $85

Do I sit here in the midst of greatness? According to whisky writer Jim Murray, I am pouring into my glass the best blended Scotch whisky in the world. In his Whisky Bible 2011 he declared this to be the finest whisky in the world, in Whisky Bible 2012 it is listed as the finest scotch blend in the world while in the 2013 Whisky Bible it is described as Scotch Whisky of the Year! This whisky is excellent. It was one of the first whiskies I reviewed on my blog, but as the number of whiskies I have reviewed swelled to the hundreds, I have decided to re-review this whisky with this context. I can now say that this whisky is excellent, becuase it has subtle layers of complexity and a thoroughly enjoyable theme of sharp citrus and cocoa slicing through oak as spice and pepper explode in bursts. It is not, in my opinion, out of this world... 

Ballentine's 

Ballentine’s is the second highest selling Scotch in the world. It is a massive producer of blended whisky, with 50 or so single malts being used to develop the Ballentine's flavour; a flavour that is crafted by master blenders. In my review of Johnnie Walker Blue, I made the point that blends offer something that single malts (and in particular, single cask whiskies) cannot: engineering. Sure, a distillery can blend its casks to produce a desired flavour but this does not compare to the massive resources available to the blenders at Ballentine's which likely include a massive selection of casks from distilleries of varying character and blended by some of the best talent in the business (it would be sensible to assume that Ballentine's would employ some of the best talent). This is like letting a master chef loose in a supermarket. Expect magical results! The problem, though, is that sometimes a recipe does not work out. Is Ballentine's the magical blend I have been waiting for? No, but it is very good!  

Ballentine's 17 Year Old - Tasting Notes 

This blended whisky is excellent. I had initially tried a sample which did not gel with me, but on tasting the contents over a bottle it is easy to see what Jim Murray sees in this whisky. It is subtly complex with many different layers; though these layers are difficult to peel away and can be overlooked by most people who are not searching carefully. It may also be that some layers are simply not significant enough to be noticed, and, in reality, this means that a whisky with layers that cannot be easily noticed is frustratingly stubborn and poor company to keep! 

Nose

Each time I nose this whisky, it is absolutely stunning. It is subtle and soft, releasing the sweetness of honey and the freshness of citrus fruits - first orange, then lemon, then zest and finally the tang of lime. 

Taste

A big burst cocoa and oak bring bitterness to the citrus fruits identified on the nose, as bursts of spice spark in a foundation of orange cake smothered with marmalade. The character then lingers on the tongue as a gentle buzz of licorice tickles the tongue. The nose might be out of this world, but the taste of this whisky brings it down to earth. I found it was far too bitter and sharp, and this flooded the sweetness that I was expecting after nosing this whisky.  

Finish

The finish on this whisky is decent, but it retreats quite quickly after the burst of bitterness evapourates from the base of the tongue; leaving some sparks of pepper and zest. 

Blanton's Single Barrel

★★★★★☆

Score: 87/100

ABV: 46.5%

Region: Kentucky, United States
Body: Medium   
Intensity: Medium-high
Texture: Medium   
Balance: Heavenly  
Best served: Neat, mixed 

Theme(s): Bright corn, sweet licorice, toasted oak, earthy grain
Likes: Earthiness and grain not dominated by oak, beautiful balance, sharp yet gentle
Dislikes: Slightest bitterness, when parallel tasting it has a duller nose than others   
Price: $60

Blanton’s Single Barrel has the power and grace of a fine Kentucky racehorse, the lively bravado of bluegrass music and a silky smooth texture that delivers exploding flavours like dynamite on a freight train – YEEEEEEE HAWWW! This whiskey doesn’t conjure images of Clint Eastwood, try John Wayne! It is such a classy bourbon, smooth as silk but with a nice cowboy kick! What is different about it? When blind tasting it alongside other bourbons, I noticed it has a silky smooth earthiness that does not dominate but glows strongly with bright grain that shines through the cloud of toasted oak and licorice. I could taste the corn and grain. Super distilling and great maturation!    

I feel like shooting a pair of guns in the air, cowboy style.  This is such a wonderful bourbon. When I was a little boy I would wear absolutely everywhere a sheriff badge, cowboy leggings and a vest with a cap gun strapped to my waist, and, of course, nice fluffy blue moccasins. Where'd I put that cap gun?

Single Barrel 

Being a single barrel Kentucky bourbon whiskey, the contents of a bottle of Blanton’s Single Barrel is taken from one barrel so the whiskey is not blended with whiskey from other barrels.  This means that each bottle reflects the character of the individual barrel from which it is drawn, so a bottle filled from one barrel may have a different character to a bottle filled from another barrel. The distiller also hand labels each bottle marking them with the number of the barrel from which they are drawn. My bottle is from barrel number 281. Aged in the centre of warehouse H, the Blanton's Single Barrel range is taken from a handful of barrels so this whiskey has the wonderful feel of something quite small batch and therefore not mass produced.  

I blind tasted this whiskey alongside several bourbons, and after a few tastings the Blanton's Single Barrel burst out of its shell with a beautiful bright earthiness. Then I added water, and the Blanton’s Single Barrel exploded with different aromas and flavours; it was absolutely sensational! I could not stop taking notes when tasting the Blanton’s with a dash of water, which opened it up considerably as it released spice, wood and oak, dried apricot, cinnamon, ginger, apple pie, honey, toffee and licorice, vanilla, lush grass and earth. Brilliant! Bottled at 46.5%, it has lots of kick and blends beautifully with a splash of water, so it is not overly potent.

Tasting Notes - Barrel No 281

Nose 

Sweet raisin wafts up in the glass accompanied with honey and subtle toasted oak. An array of spice is also evident on the nose, especially ginger, cinnamon and anise seed. Gentle gusts of licorice also fill the glass, giving the bourbon a sugary sweetness that is all balanced by the soft oak and big helpings of vanilla.

Taste 

The licorice is more dominant on the nose, with undertones of raisin and vanilla. While the sweetness strikes the palate, it is reigned in by a sharp cutting bitter oak that unleashes a shower of spices that evapourate into a cloud of dry wood and earthiness. All the while the grain and bright shining corn plays its role and cuts down the sweetness and bitterness just as it risks becoming too dominant, though it is soft and not overly sharp. This is more earthy than most other bourbons I have tasted, and it shines with soft grain and corn that glows without being over the top. This is the main reason I love this whiskey; though certainly it is not perfect and it does have a mild bitterness that cuts the palate very slightly.

Finish 

With an initial strong kick this whisky then hums strongly with honey and wood notes overtaking the licorice and toffee just a little, the spice lasts a very long time.

Nikka Pure Malt Black

★★★★★

Score: 85/100
ABV: 43%

Region: Japan
Body: Light 
Intensity: Light-medium
Texture: Watery-medium  
Balance: Superb 
Best served: Neat

Theme(s): Sweet peat, apple, cotton candy, wet oak, cocoa
Likes: Distinct Japanese sweetness with bursts of peat
Dislikes: Syrupy sweetness, weak finish  
Price: $100

The Nikka Pure Malt Black is a Japanese whisky comprising of whisky primarily from the Yoichi distillery. It is bottled at 43% alcohol volume, but packs a mean Judo chop to the palate! (which then dies too quickly). This whisky has been praised by other reviewers, but I struggle to see what all the fuss is about. It struck me as a little unbalanced towards the sweet side, and it was somewhat dominated by sherry which suffocated the peat and smoke I was expecting.

Nikka writes that Yoichi produces "rich, peaty and masculine malt", and that this distillery's whisky gets a distinct flavour and aroma from the use of "finely powered natural coal" used to heat the pot stills. That's the first time I've heard a whisky described as "masculine"... I better not touch that one.

This whisky is described as having a strong peated flavour, so I blind tasted this whisky alongside other peated whiskies including the Ardbeg Galileo, Lagavulin 16 Year Old and Sheep Dip "Old Hebridean" 1990. The Nikka Pure Malt Black was, in my opinion, the least impressive. That said, it is still very good in my view.

Tasting Notes - Nikka Pure Malt Black 

This whisky is not, as Nikka claim, heavily peated or rugged in the sense that it is "masculine". It is in fact light and soft, with undertones of peat rising up through the sweetness. The sweetness is syrupy and at its foundation is sherry and light caramel.  

Nose 

Initially dull on the nose, the soft and sweet peat rises up with very mild licorice and sugary candy gently shines with bright fresh apple slices; Granny Smith (green) apple in particular. This has a distinct candied sweetness about it, that balances nicely against the peat and oak.

Taste 

An initial burst of sweet peat morphs into sparks of dry grass burning gently (no apple in sight!), and then a sweetness develops in the form of sugary sherry that has undertones of burnt caramel that releases a mild bitterness with helpings of oak and cocoa. The sweetness does become quite syrupy after a while, and this sugary character lingers on the palate. Again, this has a distinct candied character within the theme of peat; though I would disagree that the peat in this whisky is in any way dominant. In fact, I would say the sweetness dominates somewhat. I also would not say this whisky is "rich", as it has quite a brittle body to be called "rich" and while it has some clout this is short lived.

Finish

The finish is pleasant, but the sweetness is one dimensional on the finish with some sparks of peat. The finish is not powerful, and I was a little disappointed with the weakness of the finish. Even still, I really like this whisky.

Big Peat

★★★★★

Score: 89/100

ABV: 46%

Region: Islay, Scotland
Body: Medium  
Intensity: Medium-high
Texture: Medium 
Balance: Superb
Best served: Neat

Theme(s): Heavy peat, beach, salty, dry
Likes: Like a cigar on the beach!
Dislikes: Dry grass bitterness on the palate
Price: $60

Taste overview 

The burly lad pictured on the front of this bottle is Big Peat, who appears to be getting a punch of salty sea air. That encapsulates the essence of this whisky. It is not for everybody, because it offers a distinctive beach theme with lots of peat and a few fumes of smoke. The smell of the sea thumps the nose with saltiness, an ashy campfire on a sandy beach and waves of peat and smoke. This character moves onto the palate, though it is a little more bitter with more dry peat and a shimmer of sugary sweetness which then turn into a cloud of dense cigar smoke for the finish; just like having a cigar on the beach!

This vatted malt has a thuggish peat punch. Its colour is very light, almost a pale straw or chardonnay.

The problem with this whisky, though, is precisely its peaty strength which can get overwhelming after a while. It strikes the nose with a gust of smoke, like burnt grass and twigs, and this really is nice for a short while but it may not be for everybody. There is a beautiful sweetness in this whisky that deserves exploring, but I discovered it after some unpacking.

Tasting Notes - Big Peat 

Part of the Douglas Laing family, Big Peat is a "vatted malt" with a selection of single malt whiskies from Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila and the now closed Port Ellen. It is very distinctive, and it has a spark of sweetness in the flood of peat and beachiness.

Nose

On the nose this Islay blend of malts conjures images of campfires on the beach. It releases a smokey fragrance that warms the nostrils with peat and an unmistakable sea breeze; almost like smoking a cigar on the beach. The peat is strong and dry, with some wafts of dry grass adding earthiness together with sand. There is a sweetness in the fog of peat, but it is hard to put my figer on.

Taste 

The character on the nose moves onto the palate, which is wonderful. The only noticeable differences is that there is an increase in dry bitterness as the dry grass takes hold, and that sweetness is also more pronounced. It is sugary, almost like a red berry or grape that sparkles in the dark ashy cloud that bursts on the palate. This whisky has a big beach theme, with some distinctive sea character (that taste you get on a pier, at the beach, fishing etc)

Finish 

The slight fire heats my tongue briefly and quickly dissipates as it warms my tongue and throat; then there is an explosion of cigar smoke. I pretend to blow it out, thinking back to my smoking days.

The Waiting Room, Crown

Ambiance: ★★★★★★
Staff knowledge: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★★
Spirits diversity: ★★★★
Value: ★★★★
Whisky diversity: ★★★★★
Food (dessert): ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★

The Waiting Room is a bar nestled within the opulent surrounds of the Crown hotel lobby, with black marble and a magnificent chandelier illuminating the intimate environment. It is partitioned from the lobby, but also has a beautiful inside area with tables and seats.

Ambiance 

The ambiance is fantastic. It is opulent and beautiful, but also very casual; a place where you can go for a quiet drink and cake. We went on a Saturday night, and it was busy but not cramped. The tables are placed with good space between them so it is not noisy at all and there is lots of personal space.

Staff knowledge and service 

Service is top notch. We were greeted by a well mannered staff member who helped us navigate the menu and the bar was knowledgeable about spirits and cocktails.

Spirits and whisky diversity 

The menu boasts a variety of spirits, from Scotch to grappa. It has a good selection of whisky, and in particular Scotch and American whiskey. However, not all their whiskies are listed on the menu. When I approached the bar I saw many whiskies that were not on the menu, including whiskies from the Elements of Islay range. They also offer a Port Ellen! The bartender confirmed that not all their spirits are listed on the menu. My advice would be to go to the very well stocked bar and have a look to see if you can find something you want to try.

I had a Sazerac Rye. Greta is a big help, as sometimes when I am off inspecting the bar she will "surprise" me with a whisky so I can blind taste it, rate it etc and then when the bill comes... I know what it is.

Value 

The price of the spirits and dessert, considering the opulent surroundings and lovely ambiance, was excellent. The servings are generous and measured, and that is always a big positive!

Food

We had a lovely dessert after a big dinner at Jimbo & Rex at Crown. It is a very well made "Opera" with edible gold and a blueberry  Greta tucked into it while I was distracted by the range of spirits on the menu and at the bar!

Overall 

Greta gives this bar full marks, a 10/10 in her book. As for me, well, I give it an excellent five stars. The Waiting Room at Crown is a bar you should visit for a casual drink and dessert in the opulent surrounds of Crown. As an added bonus, we saw a very well known Irish singer stride past our table!

Talisker 10 Year Old

★★★★★ 

Score: 89/100

ABV: 45.8%

Region: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Body: Light-medium  
Intensity: Medium-high
Texture: Medium-oily 
Balance: Heavenly 
Best served: Neat

Theme(s): Spicy cocoa bean fuming with mild smokiness!
Likes: Soft peat with bursts of spice and fruit
Dislikes: Bumpy finish
Price: $60

Talisker is the only distillery in the Isle of Skye, which is located far up north off the Scottish mainland. This is an island whisky which offers the soft breeze of peat and smoke fuming off diverse cutting spiciness that is moderated by sweet bursts of fruit and the most gentle - almost unnoticeable - sea breeze. It is this lovely balance of flavours that makes Talisker 10 Year Old a brilliant whisky for those cold nights!

Nose

Gentle fumes of smoke deliver mild mannered peat that wafts up with juicy orange and bitter-sweet zest. The earthiness is also noticeable, as the oak cuts through the fruitiness with its sparks of spiciness. Cocoa pierces the nose as vanilla caresses it, almost apologizing for the spicy onslaught!

Taste

On the palate hot coals glowing red burn dry grass, as the spark of gentle peat releases a mild smokiness that is delightful. Moving on without disruption from the nose is that citrus fruit - orange and some lemon - which adds sweetness to the mild spice rack on the tongue; cocoa and cinnamon with bursts of cayenne pepper. The saltiness of cured meats also develops gently with the gentlest sea breeze. 

Finish 

I recall being disappointed by the finish, but then as though aware of my disappointment the whisky glowed brightly on the tongue suddenly like a lantern in the night. The spiciness continued to warm my tongue and then it retreated. 

Johnnie Walker Green Label ★

★★★★★★

Score: 93/100

ABV: 43%

Region: Scotland
Body: Medium-full 
Intensity: Medium
Texture: Medium-oily 
Balance: Heavenly  
Best served: Neat

Theme(s): 
Likes: The fireworks of Skye, Islay and Speyside
Dislikes: Nothing (after a bottle)
Price: $70

The Johnnie Walker Green Label is the only blended malt in the Johnnie Walker range, which means that it is comprised of malt whiskies and no grain whisky. The malt whiskies that have gone into this whisky come from Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore and Caol Ila, which explains the fireworks I experience on the palate when I taste this whisky. This is another Johnnie Walker that takes people on a journey through the whisky regions of Scotland; the smokiness of Islay (Caol Ila) puffs into the air with softness as it is mellowed by the fruity sweetness of Speyside (Cragganmore, Linkwood) as a saltiness gentle crackles in the sea of character. That is precisely how to describe this whisky, as a sea of character. Buttery shortbread add some lusciousness to the malt and sweetness, though the smoke is only light but plays its part in balancing the other flavours to create a whisky that is close to perfect. All contribute to the masterful harmony that is the Johnnie Walker Green Label.

The Green Label will unfortunately be phased out as the new Platinum Label and Gold Label Reserve begin to fill our shelves. 

Nose 

Within the gentle smoke is the bitter-sweetness of marmalade that glows gently with some notes of vanilla and spice, as butter shortbread adds a lovely rich aroma that is layered with sprinklings of nuts and earthy manuka honey.  The layers in this whisky are a noticeable and characteristic of the regions, but merge beautifully to create one almost perfect whole. Hints of wood now develop as as dry smokiness wafts up from the glass, but that dry smokiness is not overly "peaty" despite the Talisker and Caol Ila in this blend. Dried apricots add further variety to a wonderful blended Scotch.

Taste 

A powerful explosion of dried fruit hits the tongue as the oak delivers a complex array of spice all within the most gentle cloud of dry smoke. The whisky explodes like fireworks on the palate, with cracks of smoke here and bursts of colourful fruit there. What I love about this whisky is its density and weightiness that delivers such a varied and controlled explosiveness of diverse character! There are simply too many flavours to mention, but a fruit basket of fruit (apple, pear, apricot, peach, cherries) shines within gentle smokiness that never overpowers but adds a dryness to balance the sweetness as spicy oak and cocoa add some sharpness.

Finish

The bitter and spicy oak bursts on the tongue with honeyed sweetness and the slight sting of the darkest of chocolates, and all this lasts for a long time. It moves along the tongue like a gentle tide, receding for a moment then returning just as quickly as it left. The fruitiness shines on the palate too.

This is a whisky that offers sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savoury on one magnificently crafted blended malt.

Teaninich 1983 Vintage 27 Year Old (D&T)

★★★★★

Score: 86/100

ABV: 45.9%

Region: Highlands, Scotland
Body: Medium-full 
Intensity: Medium-high
Texture: Medium-oily  
Balance: Good
Best served: Neat

Theme(s): Spice, oak and zest
Likes: Lots of clout 
Dislikes: Sharp bitterness on the finish 
Price: $200

Distilled in 1983, this whisky was likely produced to the jive of Culture Club’s Karma Chameleon which topped the UK singles charts that year and released only the month before distillation. A little baby was also born that year, but that is another story…

So it was that in the decade of an entirely dysfunctional fashion scene (including fingerless gloves) a whisky was distilled, which, I do sincerely hope, is a little more tasteful than the mullet and shoulder pads. So dust off your bright fluorescent track suits and funky leg warmers, here we go!

Teaninich distillery was founded in 1817 and it is situated in the Highlands region of Scotland. It is quite rare to have a single malt Teaninich because this whisky is mostly used to fill blends. 

Admittedly I am a big fan of blended whisky, but what I like about single malts (especially the older ones) is that the precise location of the whisky's maturation is known. For example, I know that in 1983 this whisky was distilled in Teaninich and sat in a cask after that. With blends, I am unable to trace the story of a whisky and understand its history.

Nose 

Sometimes the independent bottlings can result in pleasant surprises. This whisky is very soft on the nose, released marzipan and almond with citrus fruits. Cut grass and fresh rainfall fill my nostrils, as hints of bitter oak add a depth that competes with quite a few layers. It is sharp on the nostrils. 

Taste 

The age of this whisky is certainly noticeable, but is does have a sharpness that cuts the palate with spice and oak and slices through the smoke of citrus zest that sits in the background. This is one of those lovely whiskies that has drawn a tad too much spice and bitterness from the oak, and it shows on the finish. 

Finish

Almost as though it will never end, the finish on this whisky dances on the tongue violently but like a storm in the sea it calms to gentle waters. This is by no means a whisky for a beginner or a person who enjoys subtlety and softness; this whisky is a harsh taskmaster.

Overall 

I am not sure what to make of this whisky. It delivers a powerful burst that will warm up anyone, but at the same time that burst cuts the palate with a bitterness that detracts from the experience. It does have a nice solid body and kick, which I enjoy. 

In my post on Johnnie Walker Blue Label I touched on the idea of "rarity", and reflecting in the fact that single malt Teaninich is quite rare I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to taste this dram. It is no Blue Label, but it does offer some sharp punch! 

With each sip the power of this dram becomes more palatable. It fills the mouth and nose with citrus and orange peel, and a radiating heat. No burn, which is good! I think this whisky is perfect for cold nights... all you need to do is figure out if you should reach for this or your collected of peaty whiskies. 

This whisky is enjoyable, old, powerful and rare. I like that. 

Lagavulin 16 Year Old ★

★★★★★☆

Score: 93/100

ABV: 43%
Region: Islay, Scotland
Body: Medium
Intensity: Medium-high 
Texture: Medium-oily
Balance: Heavenly   
Best served: Neat
Theme(s): Peat, cigar smoke, ash, sugar, beach
Likes: Balanced with Islay smoky clout!
Dislikes: Can be a little rough, has its place
Price: $80

Lagavulin is a distillery located on the Scottish isle of Islay, which is most famous for its production of whiskies that explode with peat and smoke. In line with this reputation, Lagavulin has produced quite a volcanic character in the 16 Year Old because this whisky bursts with smoke and ash while sugary sweetness draws back the fumes to expose the earthy vegetation and complex peat.

Nose

The plumes of smoke and ash are cut through by shining beams of sugary sweetness, almost like sherry, as the complex peat is exposed and releases dry grass with grainy earthiness. Pungent and strong on the nose, a bouquet of character wafts up from the glass with that most complex peat warranting a lot of peeling away and exploration. A spray of salty sea water hits the nose triggering what is now a clearly noticeable beach theme; dried sea weed and sea shells. The character is superbly balanced, and nothing dominates very noticeably. That sugary sweetness develops into a sweet red wine with lemonade, as its fizz adds a little charm.

Taste 

Smooth as silk, this whisky slams against my palate with a gust of sea salt and peat that is moderated by that lovely sweetness; then they all burst into flames as a puff of cigar smoke explodes and then settles to reveal subtle earthiness and ash from which bubbly sweet limonata shines (Italian lemonade, which is more bitter and with natural lemon)  The character of the beach lingers on my tongue. Bitter orange and licorice line my tongue and coat it with this distinctive, ashy and beachy, Lagavulin magic!

Finish 

The finish on this whisky is spectacular, because the theme of ash, peat and smoke continue to permeate from the base of my tongue long after taking a sip. That sea salt merges with the sweetness to form a almost sea salted caramel with notes of peat.

Johnnie Walker Black Label

★★★★★☆

Score: 90/100
ABV: 40%

Region: Scotland 
Body: Medium  
Intensity: Light-medium
Texture: Medium 
Balance: Heavenly
Best served: Neat, with ice

Theme(s): Peat, smoke, fruit (esp apple)
Likes: Over 40 whiskies blended with near perfection
Dislikes: Weak finish
Price: $40

Johnnie Walker Black Label was the favourite whisky of Christopher Hitchins, a public commentator and free thinker who I admire very much. His masterful intellect and witty humour kept me in awe as he would OWN without a shadow of doubt anyone he debated, "Hitchslapping" them without mercy! In fact, his love for Scotch re-ignited my own passion for whisky; a passion which was hibernating for a few years after initially enjoying whisky tasting in my College as a masters student in England. 

Johnnie Walker Black is aged for a minimum of 12 years, and it is a blend of over 40 whiskies. It takes you on a journey through the Scottish whisky regions, from Speyside to the Islands. I am not sure what is in this blend, but I can taste some Talisker and characteristics of Speyside.  

This whiskey received a gold medal at the 2012 International Wine and Spirits Competition and it is described as “liquid gold” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2012. I blind tasted this whisky alongside Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Johnnie Walker Platinum Label – the Black Label was my favourite of the three. While less elegant than the Blue Label and less fruity than the Platinum Label, the Black Label had good clout with a lovely creamy soft delivery and sensational dry smoke. For this reason, I chose the Johnnie Walker Black Label as my favourite.  

Nose 

The Black Label has a remarkable nose. It is soft and supple with grain cutting through light smokiness as delicate sweetness adds beautiful balance. 

Taste 

With the texture of velvet this whisky delivers a creamy bitterness with a dense smoke that soon evaporates giving way to dried apple and buttery shortbread. The Black Label delivers a vibrant sweetness that weaves around the dry peat smoke to provide a beautifully balanced whisky, as hints of sea salt, peat, sweet fruit and bursts of spice complete the magical balancing act. This whisky takes me on a journey through the sweet mannered whiskies of Speyside, the coastal saltiness of some Island whiskies then south to the peat smoke of Skye and Islay!

I have three pages of tasting notes... but I'm sure you know by now that I love Johnnie Walker Black Label. 

Finish 

Pacing itself, the Black Label ignites the tongue with a warm glow which remains for a long time. It does not deliver an initial explosion but instead consistently warms and releases flavour; though it is weak and frail.  

Overall 

In my opinion this whisky is the best value blended whisky on the market. It is gentle and soft with the characteristics of a well aged whisky (remember, 12 years is just the minimum age of the whiskies used in this blend, they can be older). With the snap of youth and the silky delicateness of age this whisky offers a light smokiness that leaves a crisp dryness on the tongue combined with dried fruits and creamy oats all gelled together with an oily texture. 

Ravishing, this whisky is definitely sex in a glass. It is fitting then that this whisky is a gift from my girlfriend, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old ★

Score: 90/100

ABV: 43%

Region: Western Highlands/Speyside, Scotland
Body: Light-medium 
Intensity: Medium
Texture: Medium-oily 
Balance: Heavenly
Best served: Neat

Theme(s): Fresh, lush green, orchard fruits, honey, an entire mountainside!
Likes: Orchard in a glass, crisp, marvelous finish, vibrant!                                 
Price: $65              

This whisky is an orchard in a glass. An orchard is land that is planted with fruit trees, and when I put my nose into a glass containing Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old the gentle aroma of peaches and oranges waft up with lush green leaves, damp twigs and a gust of fresh air that carries the scent of a nearby lake and its surroundings; green grass, fruit trees, even some mineral saltiness and berries. In my picture above, I tried to capture the lush green freshness of this whisky. 

The Dalwhinnie distillery is one of the highest in Scotland, situated in the Highlands at over 1,070 feet. It is fitting, then, that this whisky seems to represent its origins in a bottle! That is exactly what I pick up in this whisky, it bursts with everything I detected on the nose and finishes with impeccable form; glowing on the tongue with perfection. 

This whisky even brings back lovely memories of my time in the mountains of Europe, sipping berry tea in a cozy little lodge on a mountain top at an incredible height! The wooden lodge against the mountainside and dewy grass on the rocks is also a feature in the character of this whisky, absolutely beautiful. It is reasonable to believe that a whisky may absorb the character of its surroundings, just like most island malts have characteristic sea saltiness. The Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old reflects an entire mountainside of nature, and that is something very special. 

You should appreciate this whisky over the lifetime of a bottle, as it is so complex and evolves beautifully. It also retains its character after being opened (mine was open for four months). 

Nose

Light and fresh, this whisky releases a spritz of lemon and orange peel that cuts through the gentle breeze coming from the orchard, as all the fruity character merge with vanilla and bakery spices to subdue the oak that is barely noticeable (but no doubt playing its very important role in balancing the sweetness etc). That is what I love about this whisky;  it is so complex that an ripples in its character are barely noticeable and because it is not dominated by any one feature they all work in almost perfect harmony to produce one stellar performance. There is no heavy or pungent smell but rather a strong gust of delightful character that does not overpower the senses. This whisky is a pleasure to nose because it has complexity and many layers. I can keep my nose in this glass for a while! Do I now scent almond and vanilla? Pines and forests, trees and wood. This is brilliant!

After letting the whisky rest for about 20 minutes with a cover, it opened up and released some magnificent scents. Lemon zest joins the orange peel with dried apricots and figs, and then melon adds a twist. This has all the hallmarks of a traditional marmalade, with big juicy shreds of orange peel!

Taste

So wonderfully smooth! On the palate the sharp citrus is more dominant than on the nose as an array of spices burn brightly, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla bean, pepper, anise seed, cocoa and cardamom. The oak also plays a bigger role on the palate, and in addition to bringing those spices adds its own bitterness and vanilla to balance against complex layers of citrus (lemon, lime and orange) and honey. The crisp burst of fresh almonds from the tree also brings a mild earthiness with lush green grass at the crack of dawn soaking with icy dew. 

Finish

Fantastic! It is an absolute pleasure sipping on this dram. The flavour lingers on my tongue for a very long time, retaining its impeccable balance as notes of licorice develop from the spice and what is left is the dry bitterness of oak that morphs into the vapour of grapefruit rising from the citrus. It is gentle, and the warm glow travels down and remains. Lovely!

Overall

This is a fantastic, simply wonderful, whisky. The Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old displays the sheer diversity of whisky and the abundance of different flavours and expressions of whisky. That is, strong peat and smoke are not the only characteristic of a good whisky.

My advice is to become good mates with this fine dram, over a bottle as I have done. It may disappoint at first, but it has many layers and lots of complexity that should unfurl with patience. I will be buying another bottle of this sensational whisky very soon.