John Barr Blended Scotch Reserve Blend

Continuing my quest for an affordable, tasty scotch, I decided to try John Barr. I agree with some previous reviewers regarding the flavors. In the glass, it has a pleasing light amber color and leaves nice coating on the sides. The nose offers some sweetness with smoke and a whisper of charcoal. The initial taste is like a typical blended scotch for me, with some sweetness and a more medicinal flavor, likely iodine, and a bit of smokiness. The flavors linger longer than anticipated, and with a bit of ice, they become much smoother. The finish persists, with the peat/iodine giving way to sweetness. Overall, it's a decent scotch for the $19 sale price, and I don't regret the purchase. It makes a very good High Ball, which is the only way I've prepared it. The more I drink scotch, the more I question if I'll ever enjoy it as much as bourbon. I've found a few very pleasant ones with fruity and light flavors, like Glenmorangie 10yr or McClelland's Highlands Single Malt, and I'll keep searching. I still identify as a bourbon drinker, but other whiskies do hold a certain appeal. Enjoy!

Considering the high cost, I am quite pleased with this blend for regular consumption. It seems so similar to the more expensive Te Bheag that I've stopped purchasing the latter. The aroma has a similar earthy quality to Te Bheag, with a definite peat presence in the mix. Toffee is prominent, perhaps with a hint of saltiness. Based on the scent, I'd suspect bourbon barrels were primarily used. Some oak is also detectable. The taste is rather deep; the light peat and toffee notes persist. While it doesn't offer an overwhelming array of flavors, it's sufficient for daily drinking. I'm reminded of dried orange and holiday spices. On the sweetness spectrum, it leans towards the drier end. Certainly a worthwhile purchase.

Honey-orange hue with decent legs. Nose: Butterscotch and sea salt, with only a faint hint of barrel char and sherry sweetness, enough to balance the sweetness. Dry nuttiness and buttery shortbread. White pepper and toffee. Taste: Very buttery profile: Butterscotch, shortbread, with more brine and toffee. It has a slick, buttery mouthfeel. Finish: Shifts to barrel tannins and sherry richness. I'm also noticing chocolate notes in the finish of these, appearing here as bitter semi-sweet chocolate chips. A very good value at $30.

A gift from my father-in-law, possibly regifted, but I'm grateful. It's quite good. Many have noted its similarity to Johnny Walker Black, serving as a European alternative when JW was unavailable for a period. I see it as Pepsi to JWB's Coke. Personally, I favor JWB, but I wouldn't refuse a glass of this. It might even be superior to JW Red. The initial impression is smokiness, followed by smoothness. It's better suited for drinking neat or on the rocks than in sweet cocktails, though some cocktails might work.

It's as if Jim Beam tried to craft a Highland scotch. It's not a negative; it has some character even if it holds back, displaying a faint leathery/rubber band-like chalky outline of peat around an oily, sweet/caramel center, and finishing distinctly like tea. Picture something a bit better than Johnny Walker Red and a slightly murkier/duller Johnny Walker 12, suggesting it tastes like a fine Scotch left sitting with ice for too long. What's the level just above 'drinkable in a pinch'? That's this one.

It has a deep amber golden color. The aroma is quite fruity, reminiscent of blood orange combined with a gentle peat. The texture is very thin on the palate, lightly yet consistently oily. The peat smoke is significantly more prominent on the taste than in the smell. The aftertaste is weak and somewhat sharp, with a varnish-like quality similar to furniture polish. A decent representation of an inexpensive blended Scotch. While you might find more flavorful options at this price point, John Barr is certainly a respectable choice and you could do much worse.