Black Bottle Blended Scotch

Rating: 13/23 I know nothing about this aside from the name. I'm expecting heavy smoke and/or peat. N: So, not the heavy smoke/peat that I expected. I think I get some of that smoke, but it may just be my expectations mixed with the alcohol burn and some wood and caramel. It smells more fruity (rich apple) and generic. There's something a bit roasted and perhaps a hint of mineral, but it's really hard to pick out individual scents. Mostly, it's kind of rich, fruity, and sweet. It smells tasty, but not amazing. P: OK, I like this better than the nose. I get some fruit mixed with smoke and roasted barley, as well as a sort of waxiness and a clean water mineral sweetness. It's not quite as full and viscous as I'd like, but it's fairly rich and tasty in a way that I really don't expect from what I'm guessing is a fairly low end (but not bottom shelf) scotch. There's no excessive sulfur a la every dirt cheap scotch ever. It's rich and moderately full with good balance. It isn't very complex, but it is enjoyable. It's actually quite smooth as well. I get a bit of a sherried red fruit flavor as well in here that reminds me of Highland Park and there's some caramel that is only a tad artificial tasting. I'm surprised to be saying this, but I could drink this neat and be happy. I feel like there is some deeper complexity in here, but it's quite subtle and difficult to bring out. Or maybe it just isn't there. I'm trying hard to find it. I'm getting some cinnamon and vanilla suggesting ex-bourbon barrels now. Sure, bourbon barrels are used a lot because they're cheap, but they really work well here. I mainly just wish that the palate took me on more of a journey instead of just throwing its flavors out there and leaving me to sort them out. F: A wisp of smoke remains along with some waxiness and roasted grain. The sweet fruit and other sweetness are gone, but there's a hint of lemon zest and it's a clean finish that lasts for a long time. Not as good as the palate, but a nice ending. This was honestly quite good. It was a lot better than I expected and was also quite different. This is a very solid blended scotch. It's less interesting than Bell's, but it's more balanced and less harsh. Bell's is about the level that I think this is on, with the richness here balancing out with the complexity there. The lack of harshness really gives this an edge though. This is definitely smoother with less alcohol presence, but it's also more bland and does have a hint of artificial caramel. It's a tough call, but I'd say that this is a hair better than Bell's. I'm thinking a 13 for this one. I could imagine a 14, but I think dropping to 12 is more likely because of the lack of complexity and that artificial caramel flavor. Sadly, I can say with confidence that this is no Johnnie Walker Green with its reduced complexity and fruitiness, but it actually tastes fairly aged. I would guess 12 years, but I could believe that it was younger with well-toasted grain or even imagine that it's a 15 with some use of refill barrels. This is somehow not that far off from Johnnie Walker Green. The other obvious comparison is Nikka Whisky From The Barrel. The Nikka clearly has more alcohol, but is also sweeter and richer with more of a clear graininess and some hints of apricot. I think that the Nikka is a bit more complex, but this actually compares fairly well. The Nikka is definitely better, but I still appreciate this and it's a lot cheaper. I think that 12 is easily deserved now and I'm pretty settled on a 13. Surprisingly, I think I have to give it a 13 and a 14 even seems like it would be kind of reasonable. This is only a $22 scotch? What a find!

Oily and leggy; honey-gold color. I've heard positive things about this one, for price at least, so I felt I had to pull the trigger on it. The nose is kind of harsh: the first wave is strong, smoke aromas like diesel fumes, pen ink and iodine. It's not a campfire smoke like one may assume, but rather car exhaust and burnt plastic. If you can stick with it through another wave, a softer underbelly of aromas come through: buttercream, vanilla, barley malts and a hint or brown sugar. It's a little aggressive for my olfactory preference. The first sip is straight up sulfur: gassy, inky, and with a little bit of rotten egg, although not as unpleasant as that smell is. There are some more pleasant flavors of tobacco, cigars, and potting soil. Some of the barley pokes through too, but for me, the more pleasant flavors are overshadowed by the industrial detritus. The finish is long and lasting, but whether or not you want that is something you and your spiritual advisor will have to work out. To me it's charcoal ash, potting soil, bitter dark chocolate and metallic tannins. There is a lot of burnt chocolate chip cookie-bottom that I don't often get out of Scotch. (I used to get it a lot in oily imperial stouts, and I find it works better in that context.) There is some butterscotch and some toffee, but overall it's a harsh, ashy, almost punishing finish. I can't say that Black Bottle lived up to even my modest expectations. It's not a bad or unpleasant whisky, but it's also not pleasant either. It's got a lot of metallic, ashy, inky and industrial smoke stuff going on that sticks to the palate. It might work better as a mixer in a cocktail that requires a smoky Scotch.

Smell: Milk chocolate, light peat smoke, vanilla, sultanas, ginger, rock sugar and a light herbal/hay touch. It's a light smell overall but quite pleasant. Taste: The taste follows the nose quite well. Milk chocolate, light peat smoke, vanilla sultanas, ginger and white sugars are there. Note for note. Taste is about as strong as the smell was too. WITH WATER: The milk chocolate takes more "space" and that's pretty much it. Finish: Light pepper, vanilla and ginger are the main notes of the finish. It's not very long lasting, which isn't surprising for the ABV and since it's a blended whisky. Mouthfeel: Light and watery, worst part of this whisky easily. WITH WATER: Makes it a bit less watery. Overall: "Pleasant" is how I would define this whisky. It's pretty darn good tasting for the price, nothing surprising and somewhat harmless but not too boring to distract. It's a great whisky to drink when you feel like drinking a scotch but don't plan on giving it too much of your attention. It's a great "standard issue" scotch. Water didn't change much the whisky.

This is definitely one of the better blends I’ve had. Other reviewers have stated that the current expression of Black Bottle [BB] doesn’t exhibit as much Islay character as previous incarnations. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the opportunity to try older versions of this stuff, but, to me, the current iteration is far more expressive and robust than any other “peated blend” I’ve ever tried. The mouthfeel is creamy and oily, and the finish is sweet and smooth. If I didn’t know better, I might think I was drinking a single malt. The unaged grain whisky notes are darn near undetectable to me, and the overall character of the blend seems expertly choreographed to showcase the subtle nuances of peat and sherry. There’s a slight bourbon note which could be attributed to the secondary aging in “new, American oak barrels,” according to the BB website. Regardless, this stuff is well worth the money, and is immensely enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned scotch enthusiasts.

Well another blend to try. Ive read some good reviews on this and 86 proof is a plus as well. Poured neat, nose is some malt, sherried fruit and gentle wood. Bit of grain sneaks in there too but not overdone. The classy elegance of the Bunnahabhain single malt shines through the palate with soft sherry soaked malt and wood. Yes the grain holds it back but this is one of the best NAS blends Ive had. Finish is traditional fading malt, mild fruit with drying wood but no real off notes. Overall Im pleased with this blend. Its changed dramatically from the former heavy peat version. This doesn't really have much peat ( just a hint of sweet smoke) The only Islay left is the Bunna and that's fine with me. This is fairly rounded and the grain doesn't ruin the whole experience. Good solid blend......78/100 (blend score).......All that being said I would spend the extra Jackson or so and get the Bunna 12yr and explore high quality single malt

This is a real nostalgia trip for me. My grandfather used to drink this as a ‘special’ treat back in the late ‘70s / early ‘80s. He passed away before I was of drinking age, but it has stuck with me as his ‘special’ dram. I’ve had it often since then in its various rebrands and updated formulas, and I’ve enjoyed it often. First off, this is an extremely easy whisky to drink. The first taste is spicy and quite oaky, but it builds in sweetness (apple and golden syrup) as you take a few more sips. The finish is spicy and a little ashy, although still sweet. There isn’t the same alcohol hit you get from a lot of blended whiskies. It’s not a complex dram, it doesn’t have a lot of layers to it, but it’s a pleasant and easy to drink whisky that I’m very happy to revisit - and not just for the nostalgia! I’d have this before a lot of malts that are lauded by many!