Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition

Johnnie Walker is probably the most recognizable brand of Scotch on the planet. Diageo moves over 20 million cases of Johnnie Walker per year, making it the top selling Scotch in the world. I've personally never been inside a bar that didn't have either Red Label or Black Label or both on the shelf. This particular expression is a variant of the brand's Black Label and is available at Dufry travel retail locations (i.e. duty free shops at most international airports, cruise ship ports, and other related locations). Not sure why the decision was made to release this as a Black Label instead of creating let's say an "Orange" or "Yellow" label altogether. The reason why I'm left wondering is that people who have tried the Black Label and didn't like it because of the peated component will more than likely not bother with this bottle. Those who do enjoy the peated component of Black Label will be disappointed to find out that this expression has no peat at all. To add to the confusion, Triple Cask Edition carries no age statement while the core Black Label is aged 12 years. Not a big deal when this bottle is picked up by whisky novices, but for those who know such things it may matter. This blends malt whisky from Cardhu and grain whisky from Cameronbridge distilleries. There are three different casks used in finishing: ex-bourbon, pot still rum, and refill Scotch (really). On the nose there's a lot of honey and fruit sweetness. This follows with some malt flavor on the palate with more simple syrup sweetness, applesauce and baked pears before finishing with a touch of coconut and pineapple. For those who enjoy sweeter whiskies, this is a perfect bottle to pick up.

This recent early summer, my son traveled abroad and thinking of his old man purchased me this TRE version of Johnnie Walker. A full liter bottle (nice 250ml bonus). Cardhu malt and Cameronbridge grain whiskies are combined (amongst others I presume) and matured in American Bourbon casks, Scotch Whisky and finally Caribbean pot still rum casks. Black label was a staple of much of my early whisky days and I still appreciate a pour of JW. The rum is detectable immediately on the nose and comes across as slightly metallic (a similar quality experienced in Teeling Small Batch). Trace elements of vanilla, butterscotch, Granny Smith, plumbs and allspice. The grain notes envelopes the aforementioned aromas, similar to Testors model glue (Q: How would you know that Scott? A: I used to build model airplanes in my youth, not sniff it). Somewhat distracting but not destructive. A creamy, slightly viscous mouthfeel starts off simply sweet of caramel, dried pineapples and brown sugar and begins to turn to spice of black pepper and ginger snaps. The finish is slightly oaky and drying with hints of caramel and pineapples. The oak tannins remain for a fairly long length with a bitter, zesty quality. If you like Johnnie Walker, this is a straightforward, sweet and spicy pour. No peat or smoke. The rum cask provides a nice, slightly tropical twist to JW. It won’t blow your mind and you may take on another pour. If you are not a JW appreciator, the your money and time is better spent elsewhere. [84/100][$45][Tasted: 10/18/19]

Ok this is new... a travel exclusive release, triple cask matured, NAS expression called Black Label. If i have to say something about JW is that they just love to trick their costumers. They have black label 12yo, Jane Walker (same black label), doble black, black label triple cask. Can you get a little original? Well, at least the whisky was fine. A blended scotch, cheap, but delivers. Bottled at 40%abv, colored. Spoiler: this is a vanilla yogurt. On the nose, super sweet. Vanilla, lots of it, pure sweet vanilla. Plums. Floral. Cheap perfume. Vanilla cream with a little citrus note coming up. On the palate: guess what? Vanilla. Vanilla cookies. Cookie dough. Super sweet and straightforward. Aftertaste has a ginger spiciness going on, its decent. Overall, this is the easiest drinkable dram ever, very very straightforward and sweet but you can give it to anyone and they will probably like it. Nothing to die for, it screams "american white oak" everywhere so that's that. 80/100.

An interesting expression from Johnnie Walker but, a little underwhelming for an edition of Black Label. You do get some of the notes reminiscent of good ol’ Black but, something is missing along the way. It is less smokey, a little sweeter and, more inoffensive.

Sweet vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, canned pineapple and a slight metallic note on the nose. Semisweet on the palate with vanilla, tropical fruit, molasses and some spices, all muddled together. Finish is short with a little fruit and spice.

Disappointed with this blend. Nothing special. Can barely taste the peat , quite unlike Johnny Black and Double Black. Limited to duty free gift stores for a reason.