Double Black

Most of my consumption of Scottish whisky is confined to the single malt variety, and most of those are single malts from Islay.  However, just as much as I like varietal wines, I also like blended wines that make for a unique experience.

With that in mind I purchased a bottle of Johnny Walker's newest entry in the U.S. market, Double Black.  According to the Johnny Walker website this is a limited release for the market.  They took the regular blend for Black Label and added more island whisky and aged the blend in a more thoroughly charred oak barrel.

The result is very good.  There's a wonderful nose that suggest the peat and coastal aromas from Islay, but the front end of the taste is still a little reserved -- good suggestions of dried fruit and honey with just a bit of peat.  The finish is where the difference lies.  that is where the smoke from peat fires and the taste of oak from a charred barrel come to play.  They are there in full force and reminded me of sipping a whisky by a charcoal grill or a campfire.  Long finish that leaves the suggestion of smoke lingering in the mouth.

I sometimes drink blended whisky with ice, which is the way most Americans do it, but my single malts I usually drink neat with just a splash of water.  Having tried the Double Black both ways I found a compromise that suited me best - more than a wee dram in a glass with one, small ice cube.  With a little bit of swirling one gets just enough dilution to open up the whisky while cooling it to a little below room temperature.  Very good stuff.

40% alcohol (80 proof) and a list price of $40, but on sale for $33.