The much talked about but ever so elusive Johnnie Walker Double Black is finally here. Originally launched and tested at six leading international airport locations in January 2010, Double Black was received so well that it is now distributed in major US markets. Taking the already smoky Johnnie Walker Black Label, Master Blender Jim Beveridge would take the characteristics found in that and amplify them, creating a new intensity to the spirit. “Johnnie Walker Double Black takes Johnnie Walker Black Label as its starting point. Drawing on generations of blending and maturation expertise and with the keys to the largest, most diverse stocks of aged Scotch whiskies in the world, I have created Johnnie Walker Black to be a new and complementary perspective on Black Label”, said Master Blender Jim Beveridge.
JBlack is my first choice but the Double sure gives it a run for its money. Very smokey and extra smooth. I'm saving at least one bottle for special occasions & hoping it will become available full time.
Don't know why "Likes Scotch" is down on this. I won't claim to be an expert, but I do like scitch and have bought many different brands over the years. This is the first one other then Blue that hit me immediately as something special. Taste is an individual thing - I can't eat onions or mayonnaise, but most people like them. For me, this is one of the best scotches I've had - right up there with the >$100/bottle single malts and blends. I don't get hung up on single malt vs blend - both have their appeal.
With medium smokiness and an incredibly smooth mouth feel, this one is a keeper (make that a drinker). Although I normally add ice and a splash of soda, this scotch lends itself to understanding just how enjoyable neat with just a bit of water can be. I only bought three bottles, but plan another order.
Normally a single malt only old Scot drinker. But as another reviewer said, this reminded me of 40 years ago having an after work snort with a spash of real soda water. Glad I bought 3 Bottles.
THOUGHT IT WAS OVER THE TOP.... IF YOU LIKE YOUR SCOTCH SMOKEY... BUT REFINED,I LOVE IT ON ICE WITH A SPLASH OF SODA WATER,IT HAS THAT OLD FASHION TASTE THAT MADE ME A SCOTCH DRINKER IN THE FIRST PLACE
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I you've been drinking Johnie Walker this is the product to avoid. Although the presentation is nice the product itself feels like an afterthought. The intention to create a stronger smoky flavor is a plus but the blend itself lucks the refinement. Think of it this way. Take two parts of a good peaty single malt scotch and add one part of a bad vodka (and it should be definitely bad so you get the wright palate taste at the end)... No wonder this stuff was for sale at Duty Free stores only.
Tasting Notes On the nose, Double Black offers aromas of peat smoke, oak and dried fruits. Take a sip and notice more of that smoke, plus some pleasant tropical fruit notes, vanilla and spice. It’s quite drinkable, with an easy-going mouthfeel and a dry finish, but it’s a bit heavy-handed on the oak, with lots of char coming through.
Technical Notes Double Black starts with the Black Label template, and from there, it adds peatier malts and malts aged in heavily charred oak barrels – the result being a smokier dram than the original. And while the Black Label is aged for 12 years, Johnnie Walker Double Black carries no age statement.