Johnnie Blonde

Large spirit companies are attempting to attract younger customers. Historically, whiskey has been seen as a beverage for older, wealthier individuals, as it is typically expensive. We've previously seen Glenmorangie X, designed for mixing, and now we have this Johnnie Walker Blonde; specifically created for cocktails. I believe it costs more than a JW Red label, which doesn't make sense, but here it is, an attractive bottle. Bottled at 40% ABV, it has a golden color. On the nose, it's very gentle. Apples, cider, and honey. Sawdust; it's actually quite dusty. Tobacco leaf, stewed apples. Almonds and amaretto liqueur. On the palate, lots of honey. Bitter hay and salt. Very light and grassy. The aftertaste is the best part. An amazing hazelnut flavor. Saltiness. A short but tasty finish. Incredibly good chocolate and hazelnut. Overall, this is actually pretty good, and it's a hundred times better than Johnnie Walker Red label. I think it's also more expensive, which is a complete puzzle to me, since this is marketed and sold as a drink to be mixed in cocktails. Fairly nice, with a price that isn't justified, my score for this is 80 out of 100.

Palate: Sweet, vanilla, wheat whiskey, slightly spicy, alcohol, a faint note of clove, citrus, and fruity notes leaning towards yellow fruits. Floral. A smooth and uncomplicated whiskey. Nose: Sweet, warm, vanilla, wheat, a good match with the palate. Noticeable and smooth, enduring bitterness, citrus leaning towards bitter oranges/grapefruit. A simple and warm palate. Finish: Short, sweet, and bitter, with the bitterness of bitter oranges standing out. Overall impressions: An extremely straightforward whiskey but very well-suited for its intended purpose. Better than another well-known brand and often more affordable.

N: Okay, this is an inexpensive, peculiar spirit that takes an unexpectedly wild journey. It begins with a smell reminiscent of new carpeting and perfume but, after resting for a moment, opens up to fruit and wheat notes, a light tropical hint of pineapple and coconut rum, honey, and cereal aromas. T: An initial acetone impact quickly shifts into a light sweetness of fruit and coconut rum with marshmallow? Then it abruptly veers into a strange herbal and floral finish, perhaps? This is definitely a scotch meant for mixing. That's all.

A shame it's from the homeland. Bought it with a small black label. On the nose it's citrusy, vanilla, wine-like, pear, and fresh. In the mouth it's just average. Nothing special. Slightly sour, wine-like. The finish is quite long. The taste isn't remarkable. I probably wouldn't buy it again at this price. With cola the flavor gets lost. Very light and refreshing. It's made for drinks and likely is suitable for that purpose. As the producer suggests. I haven't tried it with lemonade as recommended.

I got a mini bottle because it was near the checkout, and I probably wouldn't buy a full one. The nose is just okay, with notes of grain, ethanol, some melon, and a hint of honey. The palate has light honeyed barley and shrimp shell, and that's it. It's not particularly offensive, but it's incredibly dull. I'm glad I only bought a mini.

I find no flaws in this whiskey. The aroma has a sweetness that resembles stevia. On the palate, it's very simple and clean, with the alcohol being prominent and a gentle spiciness in the aftertaste.