Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition

Johnnie Walker is arguably the most recognized Scotch brand globally, with Diageo selling over 20 million cases annually, making it the world's best-selling Scotch. Bars commonly stock either Red Label or Black Label, or both. This specific version is a variation of the Black Label brand, available at Dufry travel retail outlets. It's puzzling why this was released as a Black Label rather than a new designation. Those who disliked Black Label due to its peat might avoid this, while peat enthusiasts will find it lacks any smoke. Furthermore, the Triple Cask Edition lacks an age statement, unlike the standard 12-year-old Black Label, which might matter to knowledgeable consumers. This blend combines malt whisky from Cardhu and grain whisky from Cameronbridge distilleries, finished in three types of casks: ex-bourbon, pot still rum, and refill Scotch. The nose offers significant honey and fruity sweetness. The palate follows with malt flavors, more simple syrup sweetness, applesauce, and baked pears, concluding with a hint of coconut and pineapple. This is an ideal choice for those who prefer sweeter whiskies.

This past early summer, my son traveled abroad and thinking of his father bought me this TRE version of Johnnie Walker. It's a full liter bottle (a nice 250ml bonus). Cardhu malt and Cameronbridge grain whiskies are combined (amongst others I suppose) and matured in American Bourbon casks, Scotch Whisky and finally Caribbean pot still rum casks. Black label was a staple of much of my early whisky days and I still appreciate a pour of JW. The rum is detectable immediately on the nose and comes across as slightly metallic (a similar quality experienced in Teeling Small Batch). Trace elements of vanilla, butterscotch, Granny Smith, plumbs and allspice. The grain notes envelop the aforementioned aromas, similar to Testors model glue (Q: How would you know that Scott? A: I used to build model airplanes in my youth, not sniff it). Somewhat distracting but not destructive. A creamy, slightly viscous mouthfeel starts off simply sweet of caramel, dried pineapples and brown sugar and begins to turn to spice of black pepper and ginger snaps. The finish is slightly oaky and drying with hints of caramel and pineapples. The oak tannins remain for a fairly long length with a bitter, zesty quality. If you like Johnnie Walker, this is a straightforward, sweet and spicy pour. No peat or smoke. The rum cask provides a nice, slightly tropical twist to JW. It won’t blow your mind and you may take on another pour. If you are not a JW appreciator, your money and time is better spent elsewhere. [84/100][$45][Tasted: 10/18/19]

Okay, this is new... a travel exclusive release, triple cask matured, NAS expression called Black Label. If I have to say something about JW, it's that they love to deceive their customers. They have black label 12yo, Jane Walker (same black label), double black, black label triple cask. Can they be a little original? Well, the whisky itself was acceptable. A blended scotch, inexpensive, but delivers. Bottled at 40% ABV, colored. Spoiler alert: this is vanilla yogurt. On the nose, extremely sweet. Vanilla, lots of it, pure sweet vanilla. Plums. Floral. Cheap perfume. Vanilla cream with a subtle citrus note emerging. On the palate: guess what? Vanilla. Vanilla cookies. Cookie dough. Very sweet and straightforward. The aftertaste has a ginger spiciness, which is decent. Overall, this is the most easily drinkable dram ever, very straightforward and sweet, but you could offer it to anyone, and they would likely enjoy it. Nothing extraordinary, it screams "american white oak" everywhere, so that's that. 80/100.

This is an interesting variation from Johnnie Walker, but it's somewhat disappointing for a Black Label release. You can detect some familiar notes of classic Black Label, yet something feels absent. It's less smoky, a bit sweeter, and generally more mild.

The nose presents sweet vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, canned pineapple, and a faint metallic note. The palate is semi-sweet, with vanilla, tropical fruit, molasses, and some spices all blended together indistinctly. The finish is brief, offering a little fruit and spice.

I'm disappointed with this blend. It's nothing special. The peat flavor is barely noticeable, unlike Johnny Walker Black and Double Black. It's restricted to duty-free gift shops for a reason.