His & Her Reviews: his review of Johnnie Walker Blue Label

The background info of and speculation as to what whiskies actually might be in Johnnie Walker’s premium blend is in the Lovely Assistant’s review from yesterday. All I’ll add in here is that I was getting a distinct cocoa powder note in my pour, which heavily tilts me towards suspecting Mortlach has a semi-prominent cut in the blend. I also found a tad more smoke and salt than my accomplice did, confirming for me the conventional wisdom Caol Ila makes up at least one of the foundation pieces of Johnnie Blue.

Nose: Initially I get only a prominent caramel, but extended breathing yields light smoke and mild salty air, with a vaguely arboreal and “fresh” component arriving very late.

Palate: There’s a sweetness that defines this whole experience, but it has a light touch. Think a latte, not chocolate cake. Cocoa powder, buttercream, and cinnamon emerge early from the primordial ooze of sweet, followed by light spearmint, mild eucalyptus, and a very faint smoke. Think “hookah pipe,” rather than campfire or heavy Islay peat.

Finish: Medium-long and pushing towards long, it’s impressive duration for an 80 proof blend. The cocoa powder returns with a slight metallic twang, followed by a friendly cinnamon accented with gossamer light touches of mint and cream.

Summary: This was a whisky on which we had pretty identical thoughts. It’s subtle bordering into delicate, and it packs a surprising complexity despite being proofed to the floor. I found it sweeter than I remembered/expected, but this is light years from the sledgehammer of sweet jam in a GlenDronach sherry bomb. If Port Charlotte is Michelangelo’s “Last Judgement” — a hyper-complex work with its details wrapped up in dark fury— then this is a Monet. It’s a beautiful, hazy constellation of flavors that comes across as a dreamy impression of other, sharper whiskies.

To be fully honest I’d never pay the SRP for a full-sized bottle (seriously, you can get 2 or 3 bottles of A’bunadh or Highland Park Cask Strength for the same price), but is it absolutely worth $15-$20 for a mini or a bar pour just to check it off your list? Absolutely.

Image courtesy of Jon who also writes on Low Class & High Proof.

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