Johnnie Walker Platinum

Nose - Dark vanilla, barrel-aged apple/pear cider, faint leather, dark caramel, honey. Taste - Quite thin but has a pleasant, richer mouthfeel, with a nice light white pepper tingle, dark caramel, dark apple/pear cider, and a light brine. Finish - Lingering dark apple/pear cider sweetness, dark caramel, very faint brine. Score - 83/100 Final Thoughts - This is a significant improvement over the Black & Gold, as the nose is far more balanced. It smells older, possessing an intangible richness that only comes with extended time in an oak barrel. The sweetness was darker and richer, though still rather one-dimensional. This is something I could easily sip. It's not complex, and there are no off-putting flavors. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - Possibly

A very satisfying whisky. It's a good drink, refined and perfumed. The nose offers gentle, very subtle vanilla and peat, almost hidden but perceptible. Some spices and perhaps toffee can also be detected. On the palate, it's warm, full-bodied, not overly complex, and spicy but predominantly warm. Oakiness is present, along with cereal notes (which I initially mistook for banana). The finish is strong but medium in length, with prominent dark chocolate. I had hoped for more complexity, but overall it's a refined whisky, better than Old Parr and Chivas 18. I'm quite disappointed with 18-year-old whiskies, as younger ones often surpass them.

A Scotch blend, positioned between gold and blue in Walker's lineup, featuring a notable 18-year age statement. It presents an aromatic beginning with notes of maraschino cherries, toffee caramel, vanilla, baked rhubarb crumble, and a hint of smoke; the mature stage adds notes of apricot, Sherry, creamy malt, oats, cereal, syrup, rose, and a spicy vanilla cinnamon; culminating in a complex conclusion with notes of dried fruit, dark chocolate, caramelized orange peel, and floral elements. September / February / July 2018 / July 2022

Served in a narrow rocks glass. Smell: Faint lemon, bubbly soda pops with wisps of smoke and lavender all blended. Taste: Delicate, sophisticated sweetness hits first with a fizzy sensation, wrapped in a whisper of smoke. Aftertaste: A subtle European oak bite, a hint of smoke, and cocoa. Generally a mild but engaging introduction from the JW collection.

Flavors of strawberry, peat, cantaloupe, caramel, iodine, spice, honey, apples, cedar, and vanilla, resembling fruit pie with ice cream. The taste starts with a burst of salted caramel, melon, and citrus, followed by smoke and vanilla, then raisin and apricot, with a cedar note. It continues with more caramel, vanilla, smoke, and candied fruits, leading to a moderately long finish.

A pleasant light golden color with good legs. The nose is very faint, barely sweet, with just a hint of smoke. The blends begin subtly but develop into numerous flavors including vanilla, toffee, cereal, raisins, oak wood, and peat. The premium Platinum and Blue are among the best blends available! (SH)