Whisky Discovery #156

Johnnie Walker Red Label NAS (40% abv)
Blended Scotch Whisky
circa £19.00 70cl

One of the empties from my flight home

On the flight out to Mexico City Johnnie Walker Black Label was the whisky option and I was hoping to have a few more drams of it on the way home. Unfortunately only Red Label was available on the return flight, however I don't think I've ever tasted this either, so notched up another discovery.

Red Label is the worlds best selling whisky and is said to be a blend of up to 35 different whiskies.but once again could only sample it through the very cheap plastic tumblers used on airlines. Another long haul flight and free whisky, so did have the opportunity to sample it a few times before I was satisfied and settled off to sleep for the remainder of the flight.

So what did I think?
Unfortunately the plastic tumblers weren't conducive to effective nosing but this was definitely more malty on the nose that the Black Label. The palate was rich and smooth again, very malty and  fruitier than the Black Label, but the pinch of peppery spice at the end was still there.
I know it wasn't the best of tasting conditions, but each discovery of my journey must be recorded, however I don't think I will be in a rush to return to this one.

Whisky Discovery #155

Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old (40% abv)
Blended Scotch Whisky
Circa £22.00 70cl

Johnnie Walker Black Label - recognised everywhere?

Probably the most recognised Scotch Whisky brand in the world, and I can't really believe that I've not sampled this before now. I certainly knew of this Whisky long before I started drinking Whisky, although I don't recall ever seeing it in my fathers drinks cabinet while growing up.

I spent seven years working in Thailand during the nineties and this was the Whisky to have on your table to show you've made it, and whilst I bought a number of bottles as gifts, never tasted the stuff as far as I can recall, maybe drowned in coke or soda water as the Thai's liked to drink it, but then it would have been only after a number of cold beers.

It was during my long flight to Mexico City recently that I took the opportunity to sample Black Label, it was the only Whisky available, and I could only sample it through the very cheap plastic tumblers now used on airlines.

However it was along haul flight and the whisky came free, so could sample it a few times before I was satisfied and settled off to sleep for the remainder of the flight.

So what did I think?
Unfortunately the plastic tumblers weren't conducive to effective nosing but I was able detect sweet molasses along with a musty spiciness on the nose. The palate was rich and smooth and there was a definite note of wood smoke over the cereals and creamy toffee along with a pinch of peppery spice at the end.

I'm glad I've gotten around to tasting it at long last. I've learned that Black Label consists of up to forty different whiskies, and was recently told that Cardhu is one of the prime single malts used. 

I know it wasn't the best of tasting conditions, but my journey must be recorded. I will have to return to this at a later date with a nosing glass in hand.