Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker

It's exceptionally sweet yet surprisingly drinkable. Nose: Candied apples, brown sugar oatmeal, brandy-soaked fruit confections, molasses, vanilla from oak tannins, berries, green apple, very sweet citrus. Palate: Tastes like dessert blended up. All the fruit, graham cracker crust, and whipped cream. The whole package. Honey reminiscent of a graham cracker. Burnt sugar like peanut brittle. Dark chocolate, espresso(!). Beyond the richness, it's wonderfully balanced. Mouthfeel: Dry, sweet, smooth. Highlights the Johnnie Walker blending skill. Adding ice makes it far too easy to consume. The sweetness made it something I only wanted occasionally, but when I did have it, it completely satisfied the craving... just not a craving one wants to indulge frequently.

The aroma is quite subtle with notes of pear and honeysuckle. It has a full mouthfeel. The taste presents stone fruits, honey, and leather, followed by a touch of acetic sharpness that then yields to a gentle, sweet, and clean finish. I wasn't anticipating much from this, and I'm delighted by the outcome. I initially compared it to Black Label and Green Label, but it doesn't really measure up to them. This spirit is akin to a young Dalwhinnie, but half the cost. However, it won't truly substitute my Dalwhinnie. Or my Green Label. It's a good, simple sipper that's certainly worth the money.

Nose: Orange blossoms and honey. Almond, lemon, and a faint peat smoke. Palate: Citrus, chocolate, almond, vanilla extract, and an indistinct nuttiness. Slight bitterness, reminiscent of coffee. The finish is spicy, like Mexican hot chocolate – cinnamon with a mild chili pepper kick. It doesn't linger, which makes it easy to have another sip. Smooth and understated, yet it presents a delicate harmony of flavors. Exceptionally refined. It's subtle but fantastic once you begin to appreciate it.

1.5 stars - It's flawed, and I won't be finishing the bottle. The idea was great, but the execution fell short. This tastes like someone tried to spoil Cardhu 12 yr. When drunk neat, it has an unpleasant grainy quality. I thought it might improve on ice, but it just tasted overwhelmingly of wood. Yikes. Something went wrong here.

I concur with the noted review, stating its heat 'increases noticeably.' This surprise offered a hint this would be excellent served over ice. It bears some resemblance to a superior Red Walker, though with more substance as a Blended Malt, and without any smoke character.

The aroma reminds me of cereal and malt. The palate offers the same, with a touch of spicy sweetness. Both have smoke on the finish, which is surprisingly long and pleasantly smoky. A fantastic drink that a beginner also enjoyed. The backstory is also fascinating. It's worth trying!