Spirit Type: Blended Whisky

Country: Scotland

ABV: 40%

Bottle size: 70cl

Description:

In addition to being a massively successful brand that is available almost anywhere Scotch whisky is sold, Johnnie Walker is also highly regarded, if not worshipped, by whisky connoisseurs who favour single malts over blends. A smokier, more Islay-focused version of the company's traditional Black Label expression is Johnnie Walker Double Black. Prior to going on public distribution in 2011, it was once a travel retail exclusive.

To further distinguish it on store and bar shelves, Double Black is packaged in a translucent black container as opposed to Johnnie Walker's traditional Black Label, which arrives in a clear bottle. It has a similar golden caramel hue to Black Label in the glass, albeit slightly lighter.
More so than with Black Label, light smoke dominates, yet intense sweet notes of caramel, honey, luscious red apples, peaches, and melon lurk just beneath the surface.

Similar to the scent, the Double Black's smokiness is stronger (maybe twice as strong?) than Black Label's, and it is matched by the flavours of sweet apples and pear dipped in honey. The flavour that clings to the tongue the longest is smoke, with traces of cinnamon and clove.

When inhaled deeply after a sip, it has a faint resemblance to a clove cigarette due to the sweetness, smoke, and hint of menthol that linger for a considerable amount of time.

One of the best-balanced blended scotches is Johnnie Walker's Black Label, which has a mild sweetness that is moderated by a subtle smoke. By using more peated malts in the blend and deeply charred ex-sherry casks, Double Black tries to intensify the dry smoky flavours. The end result is a blended whisky for single malt fans that has everything turned up, not just the smoking.