Johnnie Walker Double Black

Here's something I'm familiar with, having finished two bottles of DB. Originally tasted in November 2021, I need to revisit and update my thoughts to see if I truly understand this spirit. While I believe Black 12 and Double Black are the same blend in different ratios, DB seems to have more Islay content, which is younger, than B12. The main difference, however, is the increased charred barrel content in DB. How does this affect the spirit? Nose: Quite rich and velvety, with a seemingly high viscosity from a medicinal and almost petroleum-like smokiness. There's some sweetness from a BBQ glaze, a bit of saltiness and spiciness, and rounding vanilla. A touch of citrus is also present. Palate: Medium-bodied with a bit of oily viscosity. Plenty of drying, ashy smoke leads the way and softens to a malty character in the mid-palate. Salt is prominent and accompanies a slightly (wood)spiced and vaguely herbal characteristic. Finish: Medium-long. Ashy smoke, a good amount of salt and pepper. A little syrupy grain sweetness at the end. Not much has changed for me since the last time, but I've gained new appreciation and insight now that I understand B12 better. The nose is similar to B12 but amplified with deeper, darker notes of tar and smoke while restraining the sweeter aspects. The smoke profile is lovely and shifts from what I perceive as a Talisker influence in B12 to a richer Lagavullin influence in DB. The palate is very similar to B12, but again, the sweetness is dialed back, and without as much apparent grain influence, the rich, dark Islay notes truly shine. The salinity is also amplified. The finish is much improved over the B12, which was largely unremarkable. The last time I had this, I drank it by the bottle with family around a campfire in the winter wilderness. At the time, it was perfect, no complications, just enjoyable, drinkable; great stuff. However, about 140 whiskies ago, I didn't know nearly as much about what was available or what I should seek in my drinks. Certainly, there are better drinkable whiskies with similar profiles. But, the real magic of this for me is the price. I'm not sure I can find a competitor at the same price point for just under AUD $60, and $50 on sale; and on that basis, the consistency of this perfectly acceptable exploration of smoke and sweetness is really quite remarkable. I gave this a 3.25 last time. I'm perfectly happy with it staying there. 19th November 2021 Nose: Gentle campfire, sweet BBQ sauce, honey (but hard to find behind the smoke) Palate: smoke, slight salt, honey, cereal, creamy thick body. Finish: long cool smoke, peppery and rounding candy sweetness 3.25/5 Whisky taste #6 Johnnie Walker running scores Red: 2.0 Black 12: 2.5 Black Islay Origins: 3.5 Double Black: 3.25

Overall Rating: 90/100 Johnnie Walker Double Black stands out as a robust and distinctive addition to the renowned Johnnie Walker collection, designed to deliver a more intense and smoky profile compared to the standard Black Label. It's created for enthusiasts of peaty whiskies, blending the characteristic smoothness of a Scotch blend with a deeper, smokier edge. While commendable, there's potential for further enhancement, particularly regarding its bottling strength and the sustained intensity of its smoky character over time. Appearance Double Black presents a deep amber color with copper highlights, a result of its additional aging in heavily charred oak barrels. The liquid forms long, consistent legs, suggesting a rich, slightly oily texture. Nose Upon initial opening, the aroma is a potent blast of smoke—intense and fragrant, with notes of charred wood, glowing embers, and smoked meats. As it rests, the smoke subsides considerably, revealing underlying scents of honey, vanilla, and ripe orchard fruits. Hints of dark chocolate, dried figs, and black pepper add further layers of complexity. Palate The palate is rich and flavorful, delivering an immediate impact of smoky peat that evolves into sweet and spicy notes. Caramelized sugar, toffee, and dried fruits complement the initial smokiness, while subtle spices like clove, cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg add depth. A slight bitterness from the charred oak enhances the profile but could have been smoother with a higher alcohol content. At 40% ABV, the whisky sometimes feels restrained, its flavors lacking the full vibrancy a higher proof might provide. Finish The finish is of medium to long duration, beginning with persistent smoke and charred oak but dissipating sooner than anticipated. Sweet notes of honey and vanilla reappear towards the end, accompanied by a gentle hint of spice, leaving a pleasant but somewhat muted aftertaste. Observations A key characteristic of Johnnie Walker Double Black is the powerful smokiness present upon first opening the bottle, which is striking and immediately differentiates the whisky. However, this intensity significantly lessens with time and exposure to air, which might disappoint those seeking a consistently smoky dram throughout its lifespan. Furthermore, while the 40% ABV makes the whisky accessible, it suggests untapped potential. Increasing the ABV to 46% would likely amplify its smoky character, improve its mouthfeel, and bring greater clarity to its flavor layers, making it even more appealing. Final Thoughts Johnnie Walker Double Black successfully achieves its objective of providing a smokier, more pronounced experience while retaining the blend's signature smoothness. Its intricate interplay of smoke, sweetness, and spice makes it a standout in its category, especially for those exploring peatier profiles within blended Scotch. Despite certain areas for improvement—notably its ABV—it remains an excellent whisky, deserving a spot in any collector's selection.

This whisky presents more complexity than its counterpart, Black Label, offering a richer experience with a smooth progression. It's smooth for a peated spirit, as its defining characteristic is the smoky essence, an ashy nuance, and campfire aromas that endure in the aftertaste. The spicy element enhances these primary flavors, leaving a sweet undertone. It's a complex whisky given its strong smoky presence, and it's surprising because the nose suggests a much sweeter profile, providing an interesting contrast. / This whisky is more complex than its "brother," Black Label, richer but with a smooth development. Smooth within the peaty, of course, because its main characteristic is the smoky touch, the ashy nuance, and the campfire aromas, which linger for a long time in the aftertaste. The spicy touch enhances these main flavors, leaving a sweet undertone. It's a complex whisky for such a strong smoky presence, and it's surprising because the nose promises to be much sweeter, providing an interesting surprise.

This whisky is comparable to another, with its peaty notes slightly increased. I'm uncertain if this makes it superior; I'd say it's equal to the other, but it truly depends on your preference for smoke in your scotch and if the price is justified. The aroma starts with smoky notes and orange peel. The taste is actually quite thin, with peat reminiscent of another peated whisky, and some vanilla notes. The finish is of average length, with a hint of heat and pepper. My main issue is the cost. In my location, it's more expensive, and I don't believe the value is there. I would choose the other over this one. Both are good, and the stronger peat notes are appealing for those who enjoy Islay peat-heavy scotch, but I question if the price is warranted. Furthermore, the other is a better choice for cocktails than this one.

In the past, when I could tolerate peat, the aromas and flavors from a freshly opened bottle of Johnnie Walker Double Black were wonderful to me. My first sip from a new bottle tasted as if I were almost licking a grill. As time passed and my bottle remained, the intensity of the aromas and flavors diminished somewhat. Based solely on my previous experiences, this would warrant at least a 3.5 rating, but since I have transitioned away from drinking scotch and have discovered many different whiskies since then, I must lower my rating. Adding to the reasons for my reduced rating: When I last consumed this a couple of years ago, it cost $37 at my local liquor store. Since then, the price has significantly increased to $45.

This isn't my preferred Johnnie Walker; that would be the Green. However, given very limited alternatives, this isn't bad. I'm enjoying this while on an African safari. Our guide stopped the jeep, built a bonfire, and offered a few drink choices (coffee, tea, wine, a JW red, and a JW double black). The attached photo shows our stopping point. I chose this, served over ice. There's a slight peat, just enough to be noticeable. Honey, caramel, and cereal are the primary characteristics. I detect some Caol Ila-like influence, but it's muted. Overall, a dependable choice—a bottle I wouldn't typically purchase, but would happily select as the default option at events like weddings, parties, and here, during an African safari game drive.