Johnnie Walker Swing

I don't typically drink blends. As the name implies, they are mixed. Everything is mellow. It lacks its own character and any distinct flavor. On the other hand, it's very easy to drink, quite smooth, and offers a hint of different characteristics from various malt types. On the nose, it's very sweet with honey, hints of vanilla, mild citrus zest, and very malty. It's above average if you want to understand what malt smells like. The palate is even mellower with only 40% ABV. It doesn't provide a full mouthfeel and the flavors fade quickly. It will have lemon zest, honey, vanilla, and cereal with a bit of smokiness characteristic of Islay, but it's not very peaty. So, the smokiness is present for the experience, but not distinct. It's a suitable introductory scotch for those unfamiliar with it. However, if you have a refined palate, it won't impress you much.

If Black Label is your preference, you'll likely enjoy this. It's very smooth, creamy, velvety, and surprisingly substantial for a blend. I'd rate its quality similarly to Black Label, but with a different flavor profile. This one offers more 'dried fruit' and greater depth than Black Label, featuring a sweet, grain-forward flavor, and you can definitely detect notes of older whisky, which is quite good. It genuinely tasted like a highly premium Red Label, assuming Red Label was aged for 18 years. Overall, for the $35 USD equivalent I paid, I consider it good. I would never purchase it if it cost more than $50 USD. Just stick with Black Label; both are good but in distinct ways. Edit: I'm currently tasting a Chivas Regal 21, and the Swing seems more complex with a richer, thicker mouthfeel.

Johnnie Walker: Swing, a blended Scotch whisky with no age statement. Price: $62.99. Sampled on 5/8/14 with 3/4 teaspoon of water in a Glencairn spirits nosing glass. Aroma - Fruit basket, bright flora, honey, vanilla, light brown sugar, spice, cacao, cherry pits and cherry wood, tea and raisin. Flavor - Sweet and sour, smoky, fudge, raisins and English breakfast tea. Finishes with a medium lingering flavor and burn. Final score: 4.5/5. I'm not sure about the low scores here; in my opinion, this is one of the finest blended Scotches I've had and definitely the best thing Johnnie Walker produces. I will definitely buy again.

People dismiss this because of the silly bottle, but there's a really tasty whisky inside. It's sweet, a little smoky, and most importantly, very easy to drink. It has a smooth quality with hints of toasted vanilla. Is it outstanding? No, but would I hide the bottle and try to impress snobs with it in a blind taste test? Absolutely. Get a bottle and savor it; it's worth the price.

Nose: Immediate malt notes with a whisper of lemon and oak, sugarcane is detectable alongside hints of pear, green apple, and walnuts. Very subtle floral and cream notes. Palate: Dry from the outset with oak, vanilla, and malt. Slight nuttiness and very light creaminess, giving off brief vegetative notes that almost suggest peat. Finish: Very short with hints of malt and oak.

Surprisingly good. I enjoy The Adventurer from the explorers collection and the sugarcane taste from the Caribbean. I suspect this one is also connected to the Caribbean, given the bottle's design for ships. It's an adventurer, but with more depth, more floral notes, and fine cherry and vanilla hints. Easy on the palate with a sugarcane alcohol flavor. A good whiskey.