Johnnie Walker A Song of Fire

As a whisky enthusiast, I'm keen to sample every whisky I can, from the finest to the least impressive. This is the sole method for genuine whisky knowledge and understanding. With that in mind, I purchased this "Song Of Fire" bottle from the Johnnie Walker Game of Thrones collection, aware it might be a poor dram. I'd previously sampled most of the GOT single malts, and some were decent; I also tried Johnnie Walker's White Walker, which was dreadful. So, when I first tasted this one's counterpart, "Song of Ice," I anticipated a subpar dram, but it turned out to be quite nice (I rated it 76, perhaps deserving slightly more). Consequently, I saved "Song of Fire" to conclude the experience of tasting these special editions, and... it's a forgettable dram. Bottled at 40.8% ABV, with a golden hue. It's intended to feature a Caol Ila base for enhanced smokiness. On the nose: Cinnamon; red apples with cinnamon. Apple pie and pepper. A touch of sulfur. Nothing more. On the palate, it's an oily dram. Again, red apples and cinnamon, some pepper, honey, and cough syrup. Quite basic. The finish attempts to offer something different but falls short. Sulfur, red apples, pepper, and a mild smoke reminiscent of burning grass. Incense. Overall, this is a very dull, simple, and not particularly enjoyable whisky. It might potentially work in cocktails (which I don't typically consume). Avoid purchasing this; it's pointless to drink. My score for it is a very forgiving 63 out of 100.

Found this on sale for $20.99. Nose Unremarkable and clean. Smells like fresh laundry and green apples, with a hint of sweet white pepper way in the background. Overall bland and unexciting. It doesn't stand out or announce itself. For the price, it's not great compared to other JW products, maybe a D- or F+. Palate I don't detect any peat. Perhaps my bottle was faulty, but this spirit is dull and lacks character. While the label mentions Caol Ila as the core, the pleasant, albeit weak, orchard fruit notes are present. There's an interesting initial cinnamon flavor that resonates in the finish. Cream and spice are showcased, but feel like a superficial addition. A D+ rating; at the same price, Black Label or Jane Walker 10 Year are much better. Mouthfeel Don't drink this immediately. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, and don't expect it to taste its best right after pouring. The youthfulness is noticeable but doesn't spoil the pleasing richness and cinnamon balance. A C-. Considering the full price, I'd pass. However, at half off, it was acceptable. I'll likely use this when I want something cheap with a better mouthfeel than most inexpensive options. I'm curious to try it in a Rusty Nail or Godfather; it seems suitable for cocktails.

A great TV show; Johnnie Walker, a great whiskey brand. This is one of the many GOT branded whiskies available and is on the more affordable end of that selection. Nose: Chocolate, sherry, oak, peat, cherry, spices, and a subtle vanilla note. Palate: Peat, sherry, oak, sugary sweetness, spices, vanilla, and hints of chocolate. Finish: Peat, smoky, oak, dark fruits, a touch of vanilla, and faint spices. This is a decent whiskey for its price, which is likely its strongest point. It offers a little bit of everything but doesn't excel in any particular area. The finish is extremely short and light-bodied, almost seeming diluted. It's certainly not a bad drink, but it's not one I would actively seek out.

The aroma is dominated by the scent of baking spices, quickly followed by alcohol. It has a light sweetness reminiscent of cinnamon and toasted nuts, ending with a peaty smoke. On the palate, this blended scotch delivers a spicy and smoky experience. It starts with spice that gradually transforms into a sweet smoke with undertones of burnt caramel. It has an oily texture and the spice reappears during the swallow. Smoke returns in the finish, lingering in the mouth after swallowing. The scotch leaves a warmth in the chest that is almost harsh. It might be a bit too intense for sipping neat, but could be quite pleasant in a Rob Roy.

As noted in my other review, I sampled this immediately after the Song of Ice version. My tasting of the Song of Ice first likely influenced my perception of this one. On the nose, it offered very faint fruitiness, with hints of vanilla and caramel. When tasting, the difference from the Song of Ice is instantly noticeable. This one is significantly drier and very oak-forward, with some smoke appearing, and eventually the peat makes its presence known. After tasting the Song of Ice, I can't discern any fruit or floral notes in the Song Of Fire at all. I quite appreciate the oaky, smoky, and peaty character of this.

I picked this up because it was on sale at the local liquor store. For under $20, I'm willing to try anything. Initially, I tasted smoke, heat, and spice. It mellowed slightly, revealing a hint of sweetness and fruit, then faded, leaving a lingering smoke and spice. Adding a few drops of water reduced the smoke and spice, brought out more oak and peat, but the hot pepper sensation remained. It was definitely more peaty with the water.