Johnnie Walker Double Black Scotch is a sweet and smoky whisky marked by intense flavors of sweet apple, honey, cinnamon, and clove. Show
Fast FactsClassification blended Scotch whisky Company Diageo Distillery various, Scotland Cask type ex-bourbon and sherry casks Still type various Released 2011 Proof 80 (40% ABV) Aged no age statement MSRP $42 Awards Category Winner, 2020 World Whiskies Awards;Gold, 2018 Scotch Whisky Masters; Gold, 2018 World Whiskies Awards Pros
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Tasting NotesColor: Unlike Johnnie Walker’s classic Black Label, which comes in a clear bottle, Double Black is housed in a translucent black bottle, most likely to better differentiate it on store and bar shelves. In the glass, it’s the same golden caramel color as Black Label, perhaps just a touch lighter. Nose: Light smoke predominates, more so than with Black Label, but just beneath the surface are powerful sweet notes of toffee, honey, ripe red apple, peach and melon. Palate: As with the nose, the smokiness of Double Black is more intense (double the intensity, perhaps?) of Black Label, complemented by flavors of sweet apple and pear dipped in honey. The smoke, along with hints of spices like cinnamon and clove, lingers on the tongue the longest. Finish: Both sweetness and smoke linger for quite a while, along with a touch of menthol; inhale deeply post-sip, and it’s a little reminiscent of a clove cigarette. Our ReviewJohnnie Walker is a rare beast, a wildly popular brand that’s found virtually everywhere Scotch whisky is sold, but it’s also widely respected, even revered, by whisky snobs who generally gravitate to single malts over blends. Johnnie Walker Double Black is a smokier, more Islay-centric variation on the brand’s classic Black Label expression. It was originally a travel retail exclusive before making its way to general release in 2011. Johnnie Walker’s Black Label is one of the most beautifully balanced blended scotches, with a gentle sweetness tempered by light smoke. Double Black aims to crank up the dry smoky notes through an increase of peated malts in the blend, as well as with the use of heavily charred ex-sherry casks. The result is not just cranked-up smoke but cranked-up everything: a blended whisky for single malt lovers. Or is it? While it’s surprisingly high-octane for a blend, it still lacks a certain intensity and regional specificity that defines the best single malts. And it may be a little too out-there for lovers of classic, lighter blends, including Black Label. That said, it holds together surprisingly well considering how easily it could have gone off the rails. It’s big and bold and goes great in cocktails; try it in a Whisk(e)y Sour or Rob Roy for starters. And sipping it neat or with an ice cube is also quite the treat. While Johnnie Walker hasn’t disclosed which single malts are included in the Double Black blend, based on the flavor (and the brand’s ownership by Diageo), it’s a good bet that substantial amounts of smokier whiskies such as Caol Ila and Talisker are in the mix. Interesting FactWhile Johnnie Walker Black Label is aged at least 12 years, and has the label to prove it, Double Black lacks an age statement. The Bottom LineNot for the faint of heart, Double Black is an intense blend designed for a generation of whisky fans raised on big, bold single malts. This isn’t your grandparents’ blended whisky, and in this case, that’s a good thing.
Smoke with the volume turned up Smoke with the volume turned up The flavor
A full bodied experience. The electric energy of an imminent storm.
1. Malting01/05 It all starts with the cereal: barley or grain. These are high in starches, but to make alcohol, they need to be converted into soluble sugars. This happens naturally when the cereal germinates, so hot water is added and the mixture warmed up until it thinks it’s time to grow. This is called malting.
2. Drying02/05 When it’s good and ready, the cereal is dried in a kiln. Peat is sometimes added at this stage, which helps the drying process and gives the finished whisky a smoky flavor. The dried cereal is then ground in a mill, all set for the next stage.
3. Fermentation03/05 Next, it’s time to draw out those essential sugars by mixing the dried cereal with hot water. It makes a hot, sweet liquid, which is separated off and cooled down. It’s then ready to add the yeast and start fermentation. This creates a kind of beer.
4. Distilling04/05 Now it’s all about the liquid. The beer is distilled twice to increase the level of alcohol and make the flavor more intense. This involves boiling it in a large copper container called a still. The more the liquid touches the side of the still, the greater the impact on the taste.
5. Maturing05/05 Finally, it’s transferred to oak casks to mature for a minimum of three years. The casks are one of the most important things to affect the color and flavor of the finished whisky. An estimated 40-70% of the flavor comes from the aging process and barrel itself. Recommended for you More flavor to exploreWalk with usWe're here whenever you're ready to take the plunge with Johnnie Walker and discover cocktail recipes, new product launches and the latest from our world of whisky. Thank You For Choosing To Make Every Sip a Story.This is just the first step to a whole new whisky experience. We're glad to have you on board. Keep walking. ErrorThere was something wrong with the form, please clear your browser cache, make sure you have cookies enabled or use another browser and try again. Which is more expensive black Label or Double Black?Johnnie Walker has different levels of whiskies, each identified by a different color and each with a different price-tag. In order of least to most expensive, these are Johnnie Walker Red, Black, Double Black, Gold, Green, Platinum, and Blue. Which Johnnie Walker label is the best?
How strong is Johnnie Walker Double Black?Smokier and richer in flavor than its older brother, but still bottled at 40% abv, this no age statement (NAS) release has the heart of the standard Johnnie Walker Black, but that heart has been fortified with reinforcements from Islay and the Isle of Skye.
Which Johnny Walker is the best?Johnnie Walker Blue Label has the super-premium blend among all Johnnie Walker labels. It is from the finest old-aged grain and malt whiskey picked from distilleries from all corners of Scotland. JW Blue Label Scotch whiskey is the most famous Johnnie Walker label around the world.
What is the difference between Johnnie Walker Black?The main differences between the Johnnie Walker Red Label and Black Label are its blend. The Johnnie Walker Red Label is an 80 proof blend of 35 grain and malt whiskeys, while the Johnnie Walker Black Label is an 80 proof blend of 12-year-old 40 whiskeys.
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