White Walker by Johnnie Walker

Attractive bottle. Captivating television series. The whisky itself is less impressive. This limited edition Johnnie Walker White Walker is themed around Game Of Thrones. Its most notable feature is its collectibility; chilling the entire bottle reveals an icy appearance and the phrase "Winter is Here." The packaging is well done. Bottled at 41.7% ABV, it has a pale straw color. Indeed, this is a grain whisky. Its aroma and taste are characteristic of grain whisky. On the nose: exhibits a grain whisky profile with notes of corn, vanilla, fresh cornfields, grass, a cheap citrus hint, and a very faint trace of chocolate. On the palate, the grainy profile continues: herbal, grassy, abundant grain, oily and creamy texture, corn presence. It feels quite young, with malty and chocolate notes. The finish is brief with a ginger spice. Essentially, it serves as an alternative to Johnnie Walker Red Label, presenting as a very young whisky heavily influenced by grain. It's best kept as a collectible item and not much else. Rated 62 out of 100.

I have to say. This isn't bad. Keep in mind it's still not a good whisky, but it's not beyond saving. This was a remainder from a tasting set I received for my birthday some months ago. I wasn't eager to try it, but I'm clearing space for superior bottles in my collection. I did chill it in the freezer for a period, as the bottle suggests. Definitely young grain whisky on the nose, but the cold reduces some of the more metallic notes found in JW Red. The palate is soft, rounded, creamy, with a hint of nail polish. Mmmmmm. That really sells it. The finish is thankfully brief. It surpasses JW Red, but that's a very low standard. If you absolutely must purchase one of the Game of Thrones whiskies (despite the disappointing conclusion), opt for the Talisker or Lagavulin. I've heard the Clynelish and Mortlach were also quite pleasant. Let this one vanish into obscurity, much like the Night King...

Served chilled, as advised. Nose: Hints of vanilla and apple, with a touch of spice. Holding the cold glass is pleasant, similar to a mixed drink. Palate: Initially quite bitter, it mellows slightly with consumption but remains rather simple. Vanilla notes are subtle in the background. Finish: A little rough, reminiscent of a certain historical city's destruction, which happens to be on screen during my tasting, potentially influencing my perception. It does transition to a mild sweetness, akin to a Canadian whisky. Alternatively, perhaps it evokes the reunion of two specific characters. Conclusion: Likely best utilized in a mixed drink like a Rusty Nail, or enjoyed alongside a viewing of a certain fantasy series.

Nose: Fruity with abundant vanilla. It almost resembles a very well-crafted yogurt, something I never anticipated mentioning in a Scotch review. Palate: Highly citrusy, specifically orange. A touch of vanilla complements the orange nicely. Finish: Medium length. Vanilla remains for a short while, offering a smooth and uncomplicated experience. Overall Impressions: I don't dislike it. I'm aware that some individuals did not enjoy this at all, while others were quite pleased. It possesses a certain kitschiness, being essentially an advertising campaign, but I don't believe it warrants the severe criticism it has received. For what it's worth, I don't consider it a poor dram. It would be enjoyable to relax, rewatch Game of Thrones, and have a sip of this.

Shame on Diageo! Awful. I sampled this at a friend's place. The tie-in marketing made me hesitant, as did the instruction to chill it. The bottle and artwork are truly impressive. It would make a fine collectible, but how does it taste? It was truly dreadful. I couldn't finish my pour. After a few sips, it went down the drain, and now that drain despises me like Gollum despises Bilbo. Eternally! I hope Diageo is producing this for the gullible to finance genuinely good and reasonably priced Talisker! I'm establishing a new guideline: the quality of the graphics and bottle design is inversely proportional to the quality of the liquid inside. If the intention was to create a whisky matching Season 8 of GoT... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

It's fitting that this Scotch was released during the final seasons of Game of Thrones. Much like the latter part of the series it's associated with, it's poorly made and leaves you longing for the original. It's slightly more palatable when chilled or used as a mixer, which is the only reason it receives a score above 0. Make no mistake, this is a truly terrible bottle of Scotch, serving only as a marketing ploy. Unless you're a devoted fan of the books or show seeking a collector's item, save your money and opt for a bottle of Red or Black.