the COMPRESSED Black Label Origin SERIES
Johnnie Walker Black Label dates back to the late 19th century when grocer John Walker & Sons of Kilmarnock, a whisky blender and vendor of repute, introduced his own blend in 1850, marking his debut in the burgeoning and lucrative alcohol marketplace.
Originally known as Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky, the Johnnie Walker brand is a legacy left by John "Johnnie" Walker after he started to sell whisky in his grocer's shop in Kilmarnock. The brand became popular, but after John Walker's death, it was his son Alexander ‘Alec’ Walker, and then grandsons George and Alexander Walker II who were largely responsible for establishing the whisky as a favoured brand. Interestingly, none of these brands was called Scotch whisky; they were listed by region of production.
Under British Prime Minister Henry J Temple, Chancellor of the Exchequer William Gladstone ’s Spirits Act of 1860 legalised the blending of grain whiskies with malt whiskies by distillers and ushered in the modern era of what is known as blended Scotch whisky. Surprisingly, the Johnnie Walker brands of whisky did not use the term Scotch till as late as 1939.
Andrew Usher, a brewer and distiller of Edinburgh, Scotland, was the first in the industry to capitalise on blending malt and grain whiskies starting officially in 1860, producing a more accessible whisky that was lighter and sweeter in character, making it much more marketable to a wider audience, followed by the Walkers and other grocers officially in 1863, three years after the distillers. In 1865, ‘Alec’ Alexander Walker, son of John created Johnnie Walker's first commercial blend and called it Old Highland Whisky, before registering it as such in 1867.
The three year gap proved to be a blessing in disguise. Alec realised that increased storage of the blended whisky in wooden barrels improved overall quality and taste immeasurably. That was why he gave some of his casks five years to mature in and registered his 'Old Highland' in 1867 as a 5-year-old blended whisky. The next was his 9-year-old Special Old Highland followed by his grand coup, the 12-year-old deluxe Extra Special Old Highland whisky.
Alexander Walker had introduced the brand's signature square bottle in 1860. This meant an increase in shelf-top visibility, more bottles fitting the same space and fewer broken bottles. The other identifying characteristic of the Johnnie Walker bottle was- and still is- the angular label, which allowed text to be made larger and more visible. The primary labels were all bronze and gold; an additional label had made its way onto the clearly visible neck and it was the colour of these virtual necklaces that were the defining factor.
From 1906 to 1909, Alec's sons George and Alexander II expanded the line and had three blended whiskies in the market, The Old Highland 5 Year Old (YO) ; the Special Old Highland 9YO and the Extra Special Old Highland 12 YO. These three brands had the standard Johnnie Walker labels, the only difference being the colour of their neck labels, White, Red and Black respectively. They were already being referred to in public by these colours. In 1909, the brands were officially named Johnnie Walker White, Red and Black Labels, with the first two having put on an extra year in maturity, at six and ten years respectively. The main labels had been changed to match their publicly-known names.
There are many differences in the presentation of the Johnnie Walker colour-based brand names of the bottles of the 1910s and of today . In the 1910s, the rectangular label at 24 degrees was smaller and worded in a markedly different fashion, including the name. Age statements weren't always visible. The colour was NOT mentioned on the main label, but on the smaller label on the front face just below the neck, as seen on the images at certain auction sites: The quality of the glass bottles, their tops, the labels on each bottle and the printing thereon are obviously far superior today. The Striding Man can be seen embossed on the bottles marketed today, a departure from the norm set in the late 1950s of placing him on a label.
In 1906, they were recognised as the 5-year-old Old Highland, 9-year-old Special Old Highland, and the 12-year-old Extra Special Old Highland. These had white, red, and black labels respectively, and were popularly known by their colour. The main labels also changed in colour. Then in 1909, the White and Red went up in age by one year each, with the Black at its majestic twelve years of age. The Black grew rapidly to reach the top 12 YOs, right up to 1939, when Chivas Regal 12 YO joined the uppermost ranks. The competitors in the 12-year category then were Grand Old Parr, Dewar’s, Phipson’s Black Dog and Buchanan’s Deluxe. All these luxury whiskies were blends of over 30 single malts and three single grain whiskies, bottled at 75 Proof (42.8% ABV).
While Red Label would lose its age statement and White Label disappear altogether, Black Label is still a 12-year-old blend – though it did go through a phase without an age statement. Its prestige status was trumped with the launch of the super swanky Blue Label in the late 1980s, but Black Label has never lost its cache. Across the world today, a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is still a recognised currency and symbol of excellence.
The Islay, Highlands and Speyside Origin whiskies are all blended malts, while the Lowlands Origin expression is a blended Scotch whisky, combining malt with grain whisky from Cameronbridge. I have already written about this practice; apparently it won't be repeated.
All expressions only feature whiskies from their particular regions, while the packaging highlights ‘hero’ distilleries, including Caol Ila, Glenkinchie, Cardhu and Clynelish. All are bottled at 42% ABV, with an RRP of £35/€40 per one-litre bottle, way in excess of the prices in India of ₹ 2,000 (£ 19.35 per 750 ml, 42% ABV).
The range launched first to global travel retail in July 2019, with the Lowlands and Speyside Origin expressions released to ‘selected markets’, including India, in October. The whole range was rolled out globally in 2020.
According to George Harper, who led the creation of the series under the guidance of master blender Jim Beveridge, the range aimed to show off the regions that contribute to Johnnie Walker Black Label, which, after all, is a blend of nearly 35 single malt and five single grain whiskies.
The series focussed on fresh fruits (Speyside, prime brand Cardhu), rich fruits (Highlands, prime brand Clynelish), creaminess (Lowlands, prime brand Glenkinchie) and smoke (Islay, prime brand Caol Ila). The idea was to pull the whisky apart and really focus in on those four flavours, the ones people talk about within Black Label. It’s many different distilleries that contribute to these flavours, requiring Diageo to focus on these nominated flavours and work to match distilleries that might have similar – though unique – flavour profiles. Hence the ‘hero’ distilleries.
The Islay Origin expression uses 100% refill casks to avoid ‘too much woodiness', while the Highlands Origin expression features ex-European oak and ex-Sherry casks. Highland malts work well with European oak; they have complexity and richness.
The Highlands Origin expression presented the ‘biggest challenge’ when the brief came in because of the diversity of the region. For the Lowlands Origin expression, ex-Bourbon casks are used for their ‘sweet, vanilla, toffee’ characteristics, while the Speyside Origin whisky is aged in refills and first-fill Bourbon casks. the slightly higher ABV (compared to Black Label) helps when it comes to using the whiskies in cocktails. In the case of these bottles, the base ABV is 42%.
Diageo declined to quantify the ‘limited edition’ tag on the bottles, stating only that the range will not be repeated. The launch of the range came as Johnnie Walker prepared to celebrate its bicentenary in 2020, with Diageo investing £150 million in a new brand home in Edinburgh, as well as upgraded visitor facilities at Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish and Glenkinchie.
Johnnie Walker Islay Origin Bottling
Released as part of the Johnnie Walker Black Label Origin series, this here is the Islay Origin expression! It marries a blend of Islay malts, including the likes of Caol Ila and Lagavulin. The whisky is designed to be just as delicious in dram form as it is in a Highball, and this particular expression works wonders when paired with ginger ale.
In representing Islay, the simplest and most straightforward route has obviously been chosen, a whisky replete with smoke and maritime air that pushes on the two most characteristic aspects without conceding much else.
Nose: as expected, reveals a peaty, marine soul, with barbecue smoke and salt. The smoke is actually quite light, leaving plenty of room for fruity notes with lemon zest and a touch of spice.
Palate: The feel in the mouth becomes more fleshy and driven, very ashy, with the marine soul acting as a counterbalance along with citrus and clove. The smoke tends to prevail, offering very little evolution.
Finish: Moderately long, of used ashtray, salt and orange.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Lowland Origin Bottling
The limited-edition boxes are accompanied by a map of Scotland indicating the whiskey’s region, as well as trivia about it. Bottled at 42% strength, this 100cl bottle is generally available for £48-50.
Before you sip it, the aroma fills you with anticipation–a bouquet of toffee and vanilla with a pinch of fruity and peat tang. As for the taste, the Lowlands is a nuanced concoction wherein the sharpness of fermented grain is seamlessly bound with the sweetness of vanilla and honey. Without turning saccharine, the velvety vanilla and caramelised sugar intertwine with a hint of spice–cinnamon and star anise lending a punch, with cardamom and nutmeg in the backdrop. It has been made using single malts from distilleries in Glenkinchie and Cameronbridge.
While it is highly unlikely, there is the possibility of addition of non-Diageo-owned malt whisky from Bladnoch and Daftmill.
Colour: honey.
Nose: It’s a bit hot with a semi-coarse texture. But they go away the longer the whisky sits in the glass. I get scents of honey, toffee, some sort of apple-flavoured candy with apricots and marzipan. At the end are lasting scents of butterscotch and caramel.
Palate: A bit of chocolate raisins and prunes which are coated by a pepperiness. There’s that caramelised apple flavour again, only the caramel is bolder and more layered. A treat on the palate with creamy vanilla, butterscotch, very smooth and sweet, then some wood spiciness with pepper and even a little chilli. Rich and round.
Finish: Vanilla, quite short.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Highland Origin Bottling
Of the four Johnnie Walker Black Label Origin Series bottlings, the hardest one to get right is the Highland because of the sheer variety of styles in the region, from Clynelish Distillery to Dalwhinnie to Blair Athol to Glen Ord to Teaninich among others. Teaninich is one of the larger distilleries in Diageo’s portfolio but without much recognition.
A lot of expansion has taken place there. The end result is an expected annual capacity of nearly 10 million litres which is a phenomenal amount for a distillery that remains largely unknown. There is talk of a separate distillery appearing on the extensive site to further increase production. It’s Diageo’s policy to let every distillery have its own release, if not with a proper distillery label than as part of the Flora & Fauna range.
Clynelish has that waxy quality that many are addicted to and it is certainly present. Perhaps not so much in the independent releases. The distillery has an ability, an umami ability to produce something tasty that unites many. It is far from simplistic. So many complex layers on the nose and palate.
The Highland Origin is made for people looking to explore Scotch whiskies with a rich and dark fruitiness and red berry and stone fruit notes. It is crafted exclusively from Highland’s single malts, with Clynelish and Teaninich whisky at its core. The malt whiskies have been blended well, but the discerning nose and plate will recognise the individual characteristics.
On the nose: At the start one gets an aroma of sweet, rich/dried fruit notes (fruit cake), waxy and soft spice notes. Quite fragrant with fruit and a greenness. Notes of cut hay and chamomile, hints of wood resins and potpourri with a little winter spice and a gentle citric acidity.
In the mouth: Mainly aged in European oak ex-sherry casks. On tasting one gets rich flavour of dried fruits, slight warm peppery spice. Fruit cake, marmalade and fresh wine notes, takes on some tobacco with time. Very fruity, with a winey tang to it like a Cognac.
Finish: Marzipan and dried apricot. Some notes of laurel leaves, olive oil, orange zest and rice. A touch of nutmeg, but mainly pepper, a bit nutty maybe pecan.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin Blended Malt
Released as part of the
Johnnie Walker Black Label Origins Series, which uses whiskies from one Scotch
whisky region, to capture the primary flavour characteristics of that
particular area. This is for people who want to explore sweet and light Scotch
whisky with hints of cut green apples and fresh orchard fruit. It has been
crafted with whiskies exclusively from the Speyside region of Scotland, with
Cardhu single malts and Glendullan whisky at its heart. Though there is a surfeit of whiskies to
choose from, like Knockando and Glenallachie, Diageo has stopped at a Blended Scotch.
Colour: Tawny
Nose: Fruity & inviting
Palate: Vibrant and fruity on the palate, more orchard fruit show up, apples, pears and cherries with some cloves. A hint of dark chocolate & coconut
Finish: Warm spices, cinnamon, cloves and lingering apples. Short to medium, very fresh, oak wood! Really enjoyable, above expectations!
Overall: Pretty good - nice colour & a very gentle nose. A "blend of malts" from Speyside; The whole deal is surprisingly refreshing; a gentle fruity, sweet aroma, with again, a fruit bowl in the taste, finishing with a gentle vanilla oaky mouth. No nasty harsh kick. Yes, it’s a 12 year old JW Black. But it’s different and well marketed. As good as the Green, without that coffee smoky hint. Its worth getting your hands on one.
