Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Red Rye Finish

I kept this bottle for a considerable time, unopened, as it looked like something I wouldn't enjoy, and I anticipated a disappointing dram. I had some free time today and found the bottle while tidying my bar. I didn't feel like using one of my premium samples tonight. So, I decided to finally open Johnnie Walker's Experiment #1. I've tried most of the other experiments; they weren't terrible, but nothing particularly memorable either. This is a 40% ABV blended Scotch, matured in bourbon casks and finished in Red Rye whiskey casks. On the nose, it's not bad. It actually puts up a fight. It begins with an immediate grain whisky aroma. Raw rice, corn, very perfumed in a cheap but not unpleasant way. Acetone, suggesting youth. After a minute, it releases red fruits, cotton candy, and sweet gum. The aroma is very grainy. I liked the bubble gum note. The palate is nonexistent. Very light vanilla. Nothing else. I actually held it in my mouth for 20 seconds to see if anything developed, and nothing did. There's some sort of spice attempting to emerge, but it never materializes. It essentially has no flavor, apart from perhaps vanilla. The aftertaste is weak, but still better than the palate. A rye whiskey aftertaste, dry. Barley, grassy, and grainy. Nothing truly interesting. Overall, for a $20-30 whisky, this is quite dull. A bland spirit that you might use for making the least appealing cocktail or something similar. My score is 49 out of 100, and considering I typically give high scores to whiskies, this might rate even lower for others.

Nose: Classic blended scotch profile – potent ethanol from young grain spirit alongside subtle intriguing elements from a small portion of malt. Vanilla and a distinct baked grain scent (attributed to rye's impact). Oak is present on the nose, though lacking richness. Palate: Characterized by a flavor reminiscent of ginger-nut biscuits and intense sweetness. This sugary quality is its downfall; it's not a mellow honey sweetness but more like pure sugar, becoming somewhat overwhelming after a few sips. Similar to how Double Black seems to be Black Label with added smoke, this is like Red Label enhanced with plenty of safe rye scents & tastes. Finish: Extremely brief. Not much develops. Having depleted my blending whisky stock, I purchased this at the local store today. I'd seen it around but hadn't tried it before. To summarize, it offers a variation on Red Label. I understand the blenders' objective, but for me, it lacks Red Label's straightforward authenticity (which I find acceptable for mixing) and attempts to achieve complexity through sweetness. It also forfeits Red Label's fruity and mildly smoky notes. In my opinion, they should have incorporated some warm spice in the finish rather than so much sweetness. This is likely a suitable whisky for mixing, potentially bridging bourbon drinkers to scotch. The aroma presents scotch with bourbon nuances, and the taste is bourbon with scotch hints. "Adequate": 74/100 (2.25 stars)

A touch of sweetness with hints of honey and vanilla. It presents a bourbon-like character with spice integrated with the sweetness from honey and vanilla. I'm also detecting a faint vanilla/cocoa wafer cookie sweetness on the nose, which is intriguing when you take a moment to smell it again. The more I revisit it, the sweeter it becomes on the palate, followed by a brief warmth at the end.

This is the lowest-rated whiskey in my collection. It feels appropriate, yet somehow unfair. It's not just a standard Scotch with pungent malt and hints of fruit for the lucky few. The red rye finish genuinely adds a delicious element, like buttered honey on toasted rye. Don't spend a lot of money on it, but don't dismiss it either.

Scotch with bourbon notes! Primarily on the nose, JW Red Rye smells like straight bourbon. NOSE - Sweetness, caramel, vanilla, a hint of oak. TASTE - Drier than your average corn bourbon – ultimately, it’s scotch! Wood and spices, gentle, smooth, and easy to drink. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.

A subtle woody and sweet aroma is present. It has a very mild bourbon/rye peppery flavor, but the texture feels quite thin, similar to Red Label. I'd suggest this for mixing in a scotch-based cocktail.