ralfy review 937 - Johnnie Walker 12yo @40%vol: (2022)

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[@kareliask]

I appreciate you deciding to review whiskies below 80/100, it's entertaining for experienced fans, and a rare piece of honesty about these products for the unaware.

[@scottpascoe562]

Its got so much color I thought it was Dalmore.

[@NSAJ33]

Aye that's why I don't by Dalmore anymore 😂

[@maxcactus7]

KZbin and the interwebs in general DESPERATELY need more of this level of knowledge and honesty in review of all products!

[@andypike1234]

That cat knew right away...

[@Matt-gf4gd]

Ralfy really is the best. For us true scotch whisky and fine spirits anoraks, there's no one better than Ralfy. This man deserves to have millions of subscribers for being one of the most approachable, knowledgeable and charming people around. Been watching since I began my whisky journey some 5 or so years ago. Just wanted to say thanks Ralfy! I hope to continue having you as a guide along this journey for decades to come.

[@bigjay875]

Cheers buddy your spot on and choose to the good gentleman on the screen keep up the good work

[@Venom70787]

stotch bright is a sponge for fish vleaning.Aur kya.Latest hae,ab bhi manjo.

[@NinthSettler]

Wow this was one unexpected choice of bottle for today's video. It's weird to see something so easily accessible to me being reviewed by Ralfy. I appreciate it!

[@naturalfinish]

It was said below and needs to be said again the Green Label 15 year (not the island edition) bottled at 43% is the best JW bottle for the money

[@abraham2174]

Yeeah if you compare with the BL that has only 80%malt and 40%abv for 160£ absolutely. Green is at least an all malt with age statement.

[@papaq]

As always, thank you for the candor Ralfy!

[@valeridonkov7951]

We really appreciate that Johnnie review Ralfy, thanks for taking the time

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

I would have liked to have seen a comparison review of JWBL today compared to a bottle 10 years ago. It's interesting that the Brand seems to be all about consistency but are they? It doesn't matter where you are in the world or which batch you are drinking. JW will always taste the same. The Chill Filtration ensures that no matter the climate, the whisky will look and pour the same. They vary the amount of E150a from batch to batch in order to maintain the exact JWBL tint, slightly darker than JWRL in order to justify the extra expense. Darker whisky means more expensive whisky. That's obvious! However, although I would assume that the ratio of grain to malt whiskies remains the same, I wonder how many times they change the recipe of Single Malts they put into the blend from batch to batch? A few years ago, JWBL was very much associated with peated Caol Ila. I am talking 10 years ago now, and I always used to detect a slight peaty smokiness from JWBL. Is this still the case today? So, has Caol Ila been replaced with more Speyside like Linkwood and they are trying to compensate for the missing peat smoke by using heavily charred Ex-Bourbon hogsheads and barrels? "That's crazy", you might think but perhaps not. There was an article, (rather sinister in my opinion) published recently on the BBC news site, which was written in the now standard BBC format of agenda propaganda and lies masquerading as a genuine report. Essentially these articles are about pushing one of many BBC executive ideological agenda issues by writing a piece which looks like they are reporting on a trend, but which is actually a political fantasy piece about how the BBC would like the world to be in their vision of the perfect utopia. This one was about how the Scotch Whisky Industry was phasing out fossil fuels, not only the fuel they use in the production of whisky in the distillery, but now all about how there there is a movement amongst distilleries to phase out the use of peat to malt barley. Peated Whisky is made from Peat which is a fossil fuel. Fossil Fuel is bad. Therefore, Peated Whisky is BAD! They actually wrote in this piece that in order to replace the peat smoke, spirits companies were employing more and more heavily charred casks. I believe this is the first shot fired in a new war by the SJWs to ban peat from the Scotch Whisky Industry. Could it be that those who enjoy their peated whiskies are about to join the ranks of the increasingly long list of cancelled members of society whose views are no longer to be tolerated by the "enlightened" guardians of social media and the priests of MSM?

[@leonardovieiradesouza8115]

Ay Ralfy! Great to see you! Thank you for your videos!

[@nickbovee4372]

You are 100% correct, that this black label will be the first whisky for many. This is the blend that also started my journey. I was asking an employee of the local super market liquor store some advice on whisky, back when I wanted to try whisky for the first time, many years ago. She adviced me to start with a bottle of Glen Talloch. Back then I was stubborn, and said that I still had some budget left, so I'd like a bottle of black label too for comparison. She said that it would be a bit "overkill" to buy two bottles already, but of course she was happy to sell them to me. The Glen Talloch smelled and tasted like nail polish, and was really off-putting. As a beginner I could not get any more out of it (and now that I am somewhat more experienced, I would probably get nothing more than 'nail polish' either). If I had only tasted this one, probably I would have been cured for the rest of my life. Luckily I had stubbornly bought the other one. In the black label, I could smell and taste much more, and it was a clear step-up in quality already! That was what actually triggered my journey to taste more whiskies and train my palette. I do not drink blends anymore, but I will always remember that bottle of black label.

[@bizjakboris]

I was avoiding jw as a rule but I got pleasantly surprized by jwb (I got on offer for 20£). It was actually first time I really enjoyed a dram (from nose to landing). I tried it after having a bottle of benrinnes 15, which is much stronger tasting and couldn't enjoy it unless I added ice cubes. But that said the taste changes and the way we drink whiskey. Now I've got Lagavulin 16, glenlivet 12, laphroaig quarter cask and benrinnes 15, but jwb is there too and I must say it's not that bad to my taste buds. But I get the deeper taste is more appealing to more advanced whiskey drinkers. I love the whiskeys I have more because of jwb. That said I would never buy it for 35£.. but on offer yes.

[@WhiskeyFancies]

Great review. This was one of my first Scotches before I knew anything and I almost thought I just hated Scotch. So glad I tried better pours. Cheers!

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Quite enjoyed a JW Double Black a few years ago. Perhaps I was expecting worse and was pleasantly surprised. For the money.... Can't complain.

[@Ian_P]

In regards to JWDB. I also enjoyed this several years ago. I purchased a bottle recently. Oh it was beyond terrible. Young, young, young. Tasted poor. Never again will I buy the JWDB.

[@derekthedullard]

Hi Ralfy. I'd argue that there is quite a big difference between bourbon and Scottish grain whisky. For starters Bourbon distillers use a variety of grains in their mashbill to really accentuate the flavours of the grains, be that rye or wheat as the secondary grain. Scottish grain whisky is either normally predominantly corn or wheat with only a small amount of malted barley used for the enzymes in order to facilitate the conversion of starch into glucose. The other huge difference is the distillation strength. Bourbon legally cannot be distilled above 80%abv and most of them are distilled much lower than this, around 75%. With this in mind Bourbon distillate carries over way more of the congeners of the raw materials. Scotch grain whisky on the other hand is distilled to around 91-94%, a nearly neutral abv. At that point there is very little flavour of the raw material left.

[@kirbyculp3449]

Very good post. Cheers.

[@derekthedullard]

@@kirbyculp3449 thank you!

[@DeftonE88]

I got back into whisky a couple of years ago after a bad night on Jack Daniel’s when I was 17. I thought I would give it another go, and like many I started on JW. I thought it was lovely, particularly Black and Green. At the request of a friend from work he encouraged me to start watching your videos and to try some single malts. I went in at the deep end and tried Ardbeg 10 and loved it from the first sip. I’m now working my way through all the Laphroaig/Lagavulin/Caol Ila/Talisker/Bunnahabhain etc and am absolutely loving all the different experiences I’m getting from each bottle and all the different variations. I went back to Black Label recently and couldn’t believe I used to enjoy it 😂 to describe it as rough is an understatement to say the least. As you’ve mentioned before, it would be interesting to pick up a bottle of 1970’s/80’s Black/Red/Green from auction and do a side by side tasting. Love all your videos and I’ve learned enormous amounts of valuable information in my early scotch journey from them. Keep up the good work 🥃

[@martinbeen]

Ralfy, i love the cat!!!!!

[@Joey-Cameltoe]

I wasn't expecting that tumbler - I laughed out loud!

[@dennisnewland564]

Wow I'm disappointing in this review of Johnnie walker black label 12 year old. I have never had it. Back in the mid 80's I served a lot of it when I was a Bar tender. Now at the age of 55 I bought my first bottle of it to experience with my son's. And now I don't know if I want to open it. But we will try anyways. Thanks for the honest review. My sons and I know nothing about Scotch. Thank you from Minnesota USA

[@Axispaw1]

Opened a bottle of early 90s Blue Label last month expecting to be disappointed. Genuinely couldn't believe how great it was. Incidentally, I also opened a 39yo single cask Glenlivet which was phenomenal and the Blue Label held up. Both quite similar as well actually. Both very complex, lots of orange/deep citrus flavours, dark chocolate, tea, ginger and toffee. Was an expensive weekend but worth it.

[@stevenbuchanan8895]

I had an Evan Williams Bourbon not too long ago that turned my teeth slightly black from the Charcoal Filtering I assume. Lucky for me the dentist was able to clean it all off.

[@johng.7560]

Thanks Ralfy, have not tried JW Black, will stick to single malts.

[@arnaldomassari4801]

Thanks Ralfy for your blunt honesty. And also want to mention my appreciation for not glorify any big brands name just for commercialize the product.

[@JPM-Sniper]

Could see the bothy today. I’m on holiday in Blackpool and was in the blackpool tower. Next stop is Stirling.

[@KNURKonesur]

With that "blended whisky would always lose without exception" - I wonder (just as a thought experiment) what would the mark be on the new White Heather blends from Billy Walker?

[@michatobiasz5110]

Serge over at whiskyfun was very impressed by the recent sherry finish editon of black label (86 points if i remember correctly), I bought it at his recommendation and am very satisified, was expecting the sherry to be in the realm of artificial cherries ala syrup, but the finish is nicely subtle with some more refined sherry aromas showing (burnt caramels, tobacco and leather, umami scents reminiscent of good beef burgundy sauce). Would recommend!

[@marcwhiskey]

I had a sherried finish of it as well that I enjoyed but it was very subtle. Almost helped ralfy's point maybe about weak casks. Wasn't off-putting at all to me though just very very subtle

[@raghavramon2051]

Anyone who wants to enjoy the old style of JW can try Johnnie Walker Island Green. Excellent

[@Nikolay_Nikolov]

Thanks for giving us not just another "expert tasting notes" but your personal insight, Ralfy! Although I've never been into blends and don't buy them for myself, I have tasted a few of the most common ones. Famous Grouse, Dewar's, Grant's, Johnnie Walker, J&B. For me none of them is worth the money, time and liver :) As a matter of fact, prices of the blends are still OK in Bulgaria, where I live, but I find the experience literally noneventful. Johnnie Walker 12 can be had for the equivalent of ~19 GBP by current exchange rates. There is also some fairly new release Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish which costs 21-22 GBP. But as long as I have access to single malts like Arran 10 for ~25 GBP I won't even look at the pedestrian 40% blends. Recently I found the best kept secret on the whisk(e)y market in Bulgaria - Powers 12yo John's Lane Release single pot still Irish whiskey. There are still some bottles from 2016 batch for ~18 GBP. At this price this whiskey just blows each and every super market blend and many malt whiskies out of the water. Cheers!

[@geo5291]

Vkusno

[@richardgenerazio5280]

Thanks for this. Once upon a time I bought this …

[@Cohen.the.Worrier]

Thanks to put this into perspective Ralfy.

[@mrnosebear7406]

Hi Ralfy, Thanks for reviewing the JW 12 year old and giving your honest opinion. I was really shocked when I you revealed your blend mark in the end. But it is like it is. Usually I prefer the JW Green to the JW Black. I planned to bring a bottle of JW Black to my neighbour for barbecue but I will look for a different blend now. Keeping on knocking down the famous whisky brands if they deserve it. Cheers from Germany

[@afs1476]

Here in Portland OR. I can get Old Pultney 12 year for the price of 750 ml of JW Black , but that's about it . I do like Teachers Highland cream . The prices of scotch have increased like a mushroom cloud in the last couple of years. If you can spell the other single malts that are the same price as JWB , i would appreciate it

[@CharlesOffdensen]

4:55 I don't find that bourbon and grain whisky made of corn or mostly corn have anything in common. I think the reason is that bourbon is not distilled to very high proof, and the grain whisky probably is. This would be called light whisky in the USA. Especially Irish whiskey from the column stills is distilled at a very high proof. This is way cheap Irish blends like Jameson or Bushmills have this metallic note. But even this is not a problem when you have active casks, the metallic note is gone in Bushmills 10 even. So I think that even a distillate weak in flavor (but high in proof) can be compensated with good casks. Or even the other way around - you know that peated whiskies don't use very active casks sometimes, to let the spirit shine. It's when you put a bad new make in bad casks, that is when the whisky doesn't end up being great. This is my opinion anyway, I may be very wrong.

[@drax14QC]

Agree 100% and also Bourbon is always aged in new oak so it gives a distinctive flavour different to grain/blended scotch usually aged in used and re-reused casks

[@gunscratch]

That ‘metallic’ note is probably nothing to do with the still but down to where they make their cut. A lot of the big commercial distilleries want to maximise profits and are looser with their cuts so you end up with all sorts of metallic tasing esters in there. That’s why it gives you one helluva headache if you’re foolish enough to get drunk on it. Pure ethanol will leave you headache free.

[@MurrayCohenbluesandwhisky]

Honest review to be sure. The latest edition offered here in Canada is the Johnnie Walker Black Sherry Finish 12 yo. I would say it is some better than the one you reviewed. I was just curious. Wouldn't buy another. Cheers.

[@jtf2dan]

LOVE IT!...Billy reminds me of my Beans....has to explore everything......

[@adilchakir5269]

When that cat got a sniff of the JWB and immediately walked away then a knew there is nothing good coming out of this bottle😂

[@pochetteebene60]

Or course Johnnie Black is far too expensive for that what you have in your glass. At this moment I have a bottle of Bushmills Caribbean rum cask finish on my table. It is about 20€ and the quality seems to be much better. Or not? Am I chasing shadows too? Love your cat! Cheers!

[@hughofen4988]

If you are looking for a decent independent bottler blend you should take a look at Thompson Bros SRV5. Aged over 8 years old, 48.5%, and my local bottle shop has it at £35 per bottle and in regular supply. Specifically stated on the label that there is no chill filtering and no colour added. Leagues ahead of this, although that isn't too difficult to achieve these days it seems.

[@Oldman808]

It’s not that bad for a $35 whiskey. I drink it myself as an economy, and keep it for guests who don’t watch Ralfy!

[@Eunegin23]

20 Euros here. Still not worth it. I better invest a bit more and get something I enjoy. I still have a bottle of Black Label of the 1960s which I got at auction for also 20 Euros. Looking forward to this one.

[@abraham2174]

It is. I tried it and it's so boring and bitter. No fruit no Vanilla no spices. Simply a bad coloured Wodka.

[@Oldman808]

@@abraham2174 Ha ha! I’m laughing thinking what a tough time you’d have in an average small town bar! I suppose you could ask the bartender to add a jigger of simple syrup, a sprinkling of spice, and a dash of vanilla flavoring. You might try a shot of Pimm’s No. 1 mixed with the whiskey? I’d enjoy watching you review a rough whiskey: R&R or E. L. Samuels! 😀🥃 Cheers!

[@bradl2636]

Thank you sir. Only JW brand product I have bought since 2017 is JW Geen 15... last one was about 3 years ago at AUD$65... recently saw it here at AUD$99... don't think it's worth that. I have an unopened Chivas 12 received as a gift. Also an unopened Monkey Shoulder from the Kininvie days (pre-2017) and will save it for a party with whisky curious friends. I have no other blended whisky be they grain or malt. I agree, why? Arran 10, Glencadam 10 and 15, Tomintoul 14, Glen Scotia 15, Deanston 12, Bunnahabhain 12 and several others far superior for some extra bucks well spent.

[@ronfeltman8506]

the old Green label is still their best offering. Period.

[@brian6x]

What's the difference between that and the new green label?

[@miserablerhurensohn]

@@brian6x When they said it was being discontinued after 2012, they said it was because they couldn't get enough 15 year old stock to make it. I bought a lot of the old ones and still have some. I tried the new ones and I think that even though they got more 15 year old malts, the casks and malts they used were just not at the same level. It's been a while since I opened an old one. I have six bottles left. Funny thing is that the old bottles look thin and cheap and the new bottles are thicker, clearer and heavier making it look and feel superior.

[@artvandelay3922]

I appreciate the review, but I've never seen it near £40. I bought a bottle recently for £20, bought the last one two years ago for a similar discount. It's not great stuff, but at £20 the non-initiated think I'm treating them

[@sgoody1]

Agreed. I think it’s marked down partly because he believes it’s £40, but I also always see it at £20 (or £25 the most). And I think JW black is what started me on the whisky journey in the first place.

[@angelosmichail3950]

Good cask prices have risen to high heaven. Everybody is doing the best they can with what they get or what already have. I predict that very few distilleries will produce better whisky than they have in the past, for the foreseeable future. But... This one is always in my cabinet. I don't know if it's the conditioned consumer in me speaking right now. The one that everyone of us is trying to kill inside, since we much rather like to fancy ourselves informed customers. I have good friends who appreciate the scotch, our tastes vary seriously and we much cherish the banter over whisky preferences. Once regularly, now once in a blue moon we like to organize a nice flyte. We will always start with this, Johnnie black. To end the rant, two months ago I found a bargain online for a litre bottle for under 30 Euro. I hit it without mercy! Cheers Ralfy, much appriciated review. As always.

[@grantler2660]

I am a convinced malt drinker and have never tried a recent JW, but I got hold of 2 bottles of JW from the late 1960s, early 1970s. For 50 euros together. Both at 43% are surprisingly good and at least as good as some today's malts around in the 40 Euro range. Points wise both in the mid 80s. Funnily enough, I found JW Red in particular very pleasant to sip. Whoever comes across such an old bottle: try it. It's also fun with friends. But don't pay too much - they still won't be top whiskies. But an interesting journey into the past.

[@marksmith1524]

Been watching you since I was a wee willie lad of 19 years old I'm 35 now love buying whiskey based on your reviews cheers hpy Saturday here in Australia 🇦🇺

[@robbiemac13]

I really appreciate you reviewing something that almost anyone can find in their local liquor store. I like independent producers making more interesting whisky, but those are not always readily available in most regions of the world. Thank you for another great video Ralfy!!

[@FloydFp]

I have a bottle of Johnnie Walker Green "Pure Malt" from several years ago before it was discontinued but it is now back. It is still in the box. I wonder if it is worth any more than the current standard retail price.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . no, but it will be a great version of the classic brand. . . . which is not as good now.

[@FloydFp]

@@thewhiskybothy Thanks Ralfy! Good to know. So that means I might as well open the bottle and enjoy it now.

[@flossenking]

Planning on reviewing the JW Black Sherry Finish? Released a couple of months ago and while it's about €5 more expensive than the regular black, I think it tastes like the black, but refined and improved in flavour

[@morten3219]

Hey Ralfy first of all thanks for a nice review in which i agree that the quality of JWBL has declined recent years. But what i have a little trouble understand is your issue with following. 1: coloring. so you talk about the coloring of blended whisky, but majority of single malts are also colored, Laproaig as an exsample is, so there's no real difference if that's a issue about blended. Yes there er still many singe malts that doesn't color, but many do. 2: you also talk a bit about the branding vs the product. but all single malts are also being branded as for what it is, a single malt. actually there's no difference in that either compared to blended. You may like the marketing of a single malt better, but is still something they marketing it for. An example good be an islay whisky which is market as if you can taste the sea or the salt from the sea, or talisker as marketing made by the sea. What actually is happening to the majority of the whisky is, is being destilled on islay yes, but then stored at a warehouse in Glasgow for the maturing. Nothing but the pollution of the trucks and city should be in the nose or palate rather then seaweed, sea salt and so forth. 3: the watering down. Do you think a single malt isnt watered down at a factory with the tap water?

[@neotropos]

Don't hold back Ralfy! 🤣 I've got one of these in the house, unopened and yet to try - somehow I'm not looking forward to it so much now... Agree on the Arran though - have even been to the distillery - brilliant whisky.

[@Gamescommentary]

I've asked for reviews of whisky's below 80 for years in the comments. I hope this is applied to single malts going forward. Very nice Ralfy!

[@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424]

Or Dewars Double Double 32? Apparently is amazing

[@jasonmacdonald3056]

It is definitely amazing.

[@aframs-cctaf-rams-cct6424]

@@jasonmacdonald3056 I recently got a bottle but have not opened it since I sent it to my home in commiefornia

[@michaeltovey02607]

So a lot of JW spirit is produced at the Cardu distillery. Do they only get to use the reject batches? No comparison. I’ll stick to Cardu 12 .

[@riksmits249]

I can buy this bottle (70cl) for 21 euros in Holland. No bottle is better for that price. A reasonably good single malt starts at 35 euros where I live, an outstanding single malt starts at 60 euros. I love the black label for that low price.

[@FerNightwalker]

Curiously I was drinking it on Sunday during a barbecue with family, with 32°C and the bbq nearby it was impossible to sipping, but putting the bottle on ice for a while gave a good result, just a little like slightly sweetened. About the Green, the last bottle I bought was very different from the previous one, nice at the beginning, but as the bottle went down it became less palatable and more phenolic (alcohol punching your nose) , it needs some water and several minutes in the glass to calm down... I don't pretend to buy that one again for a while. Cheers Ralfy and a big thanks 🥃💪

[@juangarat389]

Fer .. Coincido en todo lo que dijo Ralfy .. es exactamente lo que sentí con la última botella que compré hace poco .. hasta dude si era un mal batch o que porque me pareció una bosta y lejísimo de lo que fue alguna vez .Otro clasico caballito de batalla que se está yendo a la mierda lamentablemente . Abrazo

[@FerNightwalker]

@@juangarat389Hola Juan como va todo?.. uff y ahora que me lo decis vos dudaré aun mas en comprarme una, vere si aun encuentro algun embotellado viejo, pero dificil considerando al alta demanda. Otro abrazo my friend!

[@juangarat389]

@@FerNightwalkerhace poco la compré en total wine que es una tienda de primera , y sino hubiera sido así , hubiera pensado que lo que compre fue de un súper chino adulterado jajajaja ,..dsp otro día hace muy poco un amigo me lo convido en su casa y lo mismo …no entendía nada de lo que estaba pasando.Nada que ver con lo que alguna vez fue …Una bosta ! Ahora dsp de ver el vídeo me cierra todo .Abzo

[@donb1183]

Love your channel ralfy. I am an experienced whisky drinker, although obviously not to your level. I frequently come back to JWB and enjoy it. I find it has a nice combination of sweetness and smoke, very balanced. Sadly JWB always gets dissed right from the get go in most reviews from whisky experts. You get this here too, when ralfy starts off by talking about color when I don't think we really know, do we? Would love to see a blinded review of JWB when our preconceived biases are hidden. I don't agree with your "brand v product" assessment. If the product is consistently bad eventually the brand will suffer. Once a brand gets a bad reputation it is tough to get it back.

[@bryanabrams5916]

I’ve come back after tasting various Laphroig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, Ledaig, Kilkerran, Glencadam, Bunnahabhain, and others. JWB does not compare. I’ll happily spend an extra $20- $50 on any other bottling from the companies listed and some. I would rather not drink scotch at a bar than drink JWB. It’s just not good enough. I like the tumbler move by Ralfy!

[@MaLiCeCoLtRaNe]

Nice of Billy to help out with the review!

[@afs1476]

Ralfy, Although I can afford it, I refused to pay what they are asking for my favorite single malts her in the U.S. I will treat myself every now and then with a bottle of Ledaig 10 year or Caol La 12 , but at $77 a bottle it will never be a regular dram. I actually like JW black and double black but the main feature of JW black is you can get 1.75 L for $70 in Oregon and $50 in California. I have several bottles of single malt for once in a while occasions but I am into 1.75 L values . So far nothing in the big bottles can beat Money Shoulder at 1.75 L. I know I can't take it with me but it's just the principle that the scotch industry has priced me out of the market. I refuse to pay $91 a bottle for Lagavulin 16 year, but I would never refuse it as a gift from my family . Hint Hint

[@Fooggs]

In the UK, the Black Label costs 40 pounds? In Germany, you don't pay more than 20 to 23 euros for it. And we have to import the stuff.

[@tooslow1614]

Thanks Ralfy

[@djscottdog1]

Its not just cask char your tasting have you ever tasted e150 colour it smells lovly but its one of the most bitter things you will taste

[@mincey808]

I rarely try blended whiskey these days but I did add a bottle of Cutty Sark Prohibition to my basket recently and for £23 it was worth the purchase. No desire to try any Johnnie Walkers any time soon but as usual, picked up something useful re: heavily charred cask giving off an ashy taste. Had a bottle of Edradour's Signatory 10 year old recently and this could explain why it tasted burnt to me!

[@abraham2174]

Ralfy you are right. I tried it. The smell is just light peat and sweet. Taste peat green apple and a harsh bitterness. Bad old casks I guess. How can this be the most sold Scotch in the world? I tried cheaper one's that tasted better.

[@RaduB.]

Going to my grocery store I have to choose between Johnny Walker red, black and Jameson's if I want a cheaper bottle... Is it worth trying one of these? For the experience, I mean... Or should I shoot directly to the pricier Glenfiddich 12?... Which I liked, by the way.

[@MrLachlanmackenzie]

Never touched the stuff and at that price Arran and even Loch Lomond would probably be calling to me before I would ever consider it.

[@cscholar743]

You probably should get it a try just for the point of reference. It's a common starter whiskey. If someone can tell you what they like / don't like about JWBlack, then you'll likely known exactly which integrity bottle to recommend. I think most bars will give you a free taste of JWB if you are buying something more expensive. You don't need a bottle.

[@MrLachlanmackenzie]

@@cscholar743 I might get a small sampler at some point, but I won't be making a beeline for it.

[@Richard-hl2jr]

It is currently £20 in my local Tesco with a clubcard, at that price I thought it was ok.

[@MrLachlanmackenzie]

A comparison with the cheap seat offerings from places like Lidl would be interesting - say the Queen Margot 8 year old blend or the Glen Orchy, both a fraction of the standard RRP of JW.

[@Nasosdag]

Whisky, bothy, cats, precious knowledge shared with flair, what's not to love about this channel? I have a JW Black Label among my small (but hopefully expanding) collection of bottles, still unopened. Curious to see whether my impression will agree with yours, once I sample it. But tonight I have poured myself a dram of Connemara (the normal one) and I raise it to you and the cool community you have built here, Ralfy!

[@philippemartinsphil3404]

I am a Brazilian single malt drinker and even with all our limitations on single malt lables available, abusive prices and the advertizing power of Johnie Walker (Diageo), Chivas Regal and Ballantines, I agree 100% with this review. Thanks for being truthful to your principles. Love this channel.

[@1981stonemonkey]

Please review an entry level Compass Box in this mini-series for us? Spice tree or Hedonism, maybe? Just to show there is grain to separated from the chaff, among blends as well!

[@robertrogers7755]

I've tried pure grain whiskey from Scotland and Ireland. They are not bourbon, they are completely different spirits. Of course, I love bourbon as well as single malt.

[@andyq9669]

I've been thoroughly enjoying some Nikka Coffee Grain of late, and I wouldn't compare it to any Bourbon I've tried (not that I have much experience in Bourbon), so I imagine there can be a huge variety of grain flavours (there's a huge variety of grains on top of the differences in distilling, barrels, climate etc.)

[@danieljacobson5774]

Do you have a favorite blended. Scotch??

[@VinnyCarwash-js8op]

I got this for £20 today, not a bad deal on a budget. I'm saving my Kilkerran 12. Cheers, Ralfy.

[@TheWoWBane]

If Johnnie Walker Black was their lowest "offering" I think it would be quite good for that level. The fact that it is not, and red label is the lowest, means that you would expect more of it, and in that aspect, it underperforms.

[@bigjay875]

Nice, I like your style. Your perspective is very interesting lm coming at scotch as an amaricen bourbon fan. I couldn't agree with ya more JW black left me very disappointed for what's it's worth I was a fan of highland park and gone through a great many of they're offerings before I tried JW black. Anyway I'm subbing your channel keep up the good work

[@bigjay875]

Wow I'm quite impressed with how quickly you tagged my comment 🙂 👍

[@alfocrown]

got some 70s bottling of JW black from auction, and pour some modern JW black to doing vertical tasting, this is literally two different spirit

[@teaman7v]

Thank you AvE for sending me here 🙏

[@davidoneill913]

Very informative cheers Ralfy

[@annierenard5954]

very good review, thank you

[@thomasmorgan6535]

For a good value blend please try Old Perth Sherry Cask Strength. My best recent find. c.£40, NCF (natural colour), cask strenth sherry bomb. Like the Naked Malt (my other recommended blend at £21) on steroids!!

[@michaelgonzalez347]

I'm sure you will place that Johnnie Walker Black way, way back on a shelf for some time. Do you think your opinion will change on that exact bottle of you try it again maybe 5-8 years later? I guess I'm asking for any bottle that you reviewed. Have you gone back to the exact bottle many years later to see if your impression of it might have changed? For better or worse?

[@josephkiselica8923]

Ah. Gotta love it..... THE BRUTAL TRUTH....! NAZDRAVYE RALFMASTER!

[@skraegorn7317]

This was actually my first Scotch after previously only drinking bourbon, Canadian, and Irish. To me the nose and palate were like brûléed peaches. Smoky charred notes under vanilla, caramel, and fruity sweet notes, and a little spice. It’s approachable, unchallenging, and easy to sip, a bit like Jameson or Crown Royal. (Mind you I’ve not had other Scotch whiskies so I wouldn’t be able to tell the different malts apart).

[@heatherharrison264]

This whisky frequently shows up in bars, and a shot of it doesn't cost much more than Johnnie Walker Red. When I want blended Scotch in a cocktail, it usually works. The harshness, which makes it unsuitable to drink neat, gets subsumed into the mixture but still provides a bit of a bite that the mixed drink would lack if a lighter and more inoffensive blend, such as Chivas Regal or one of the basic Irish blends, is used. I like Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 in cocktails for the same reason - it's rough to drink neat, but it adds a nice bite to a whiskey sour. If I want a rusty nail, Johnnie Walker Black does a decent job of competing with the Drambuie. (I've always gone for the Black in bars, probably due to familiarity and ubiquitous availability, but I wonder if the Red might be just as good in many of the usual cocktails. Next time, I'll try it.) If I want something over ice, I prefer Suntory Toki, as I find its flavor profile to be better suited to that use. It's a little rough to drink neat, but it is quite refreshing over ice. If I want to drink a spirit on its own, I'll reach for a quality single malt, bourbon, rye, rum, brandy, mezcal, or baijiu. Blends have their place, and with a few exceptions, that place is over ice cubes and/or mixed with something else. I'll always have a few blends around, because sometimes, this is precisely what I want.

[@LEMONedOblaat]

Black Label was the first bottle of Scotch Whisky I ever purchased for myself. My Father was a Bourbon guy so we always had Wild Turkey hanging around so I wanted something different and the first thing that popped into my head those many years ago was Black Label and that was because of Blade Runner. Watched it for the first time at like 11 and rewatched it thousands of times over and that image of Black Label really burned into my head. My tastes have outgrown poor old Black Label though and if it's as bad as you say I'm glad it has.

[@bigjay875]

I also grew up on the wild turkey, over the years I've moved away from it the reason being the flavor is just to safe for me I want to try different angles of whiskey and bourbon. The high end wild turkey offerings are respectable,. And good old 101 is my favorite cocktail base to this day

[@LEMONedOblaat]

@@bigjay875 I always have a bottle of Rare Breed in the house, it's delicious but its mostly for nostalgia reasons. More often then not I reach for Scotch over bourbon but sometimes a detour to the past is welcomed.

[@riancreamer6904]

I've always had a soft spot for JW Black, mainly due to it being one of my first, and often bought whiskies. I buy a bottle every few years now and the last (c2019) wasn't too good. Since then I've been seeking out old bottles at auction. Had one that was a bit meh, but probably due to poor storage, and one that was damn near sublime (c1970/80s). If you see an older one, get it, folks!

[@davebuts1921]

Thanks, Ralfy, was going to try that, I Will not bother now.

[@mr2gordons940]

I'm curious how much a bar in Scotland charges for a quality single malt. Pick any of your highly rated drams, compare cost per quantity vs that of JW and what's the tab for each? Do they mark up the quality bottle at a higher rate, lower, approximately the same?

[@jimmypaul9424]

I pay £6 for 25 ml of Talisker 10. I can buy a 70 cl bottle for under £30 on line London uk

[@mr2gordons940]

@@jimmypaul9424 What would they charge for the same serving of JW Black vs what a bottle would cost at the same source? Understanding that wholesale costs for a business probably don't follow a scale vs retail.

[@jimmypaul9424]

@@mr2gordons940 £4.50 for 25ml for JWB £20 on line

[@JM-nh8ld]

Looking forward to your extras video coming out soon. I enjoy your videos and learn quite a bit from them. This is coming from an American of Scottish ancestry raised on bourbon looking to learn/try more scotch. Thanks

[@ace44888]

Again, I laughed loudly when the tumbler came up......😂 In Taiwan, a JW black 700ml is around 18.8usd for retailing price. Considering about all necessary costs such as bottling shipping taxes..,etc, I think the cost of the “liquid” they put inside is around 1.5usd, we really should not expect too much. Some ppl said actually they like the black label, I personally feel happy for them to have a good standard that can obtain happiness easily - like every judges of international spirits challenge-

[@helloxuxu]

Hi Ace. What’s you view on the Taiwanese Kavalan whisky? I used to live in Taiwan, off and on, from 2005-2010, but the price point of Kavalan was way too high for me. I once met one of the American DJ’s from the morning show at ICRT at a bar where a bottle of Blue Label JW was kept behind the bar for him. He shared a dram of it with me. Great guy.

[@maxwong6222]

@@helloxuxu I stick to Kavalan vinho barrique. The other expressions are good as mixers, imho.

[@ace44888]

@@helloxuxu I never try Kavalan even the distillery is only 1hr drive from where I live. Shamful! 😂 For this I think I am having a good reason to visit Kavalan distillery in Aug.(and also OMAR distillery) to see how they overcome the difficulties to make whisky in sub-tropical area. Will revert to you, Cheers!

[@ace44888]

@@helloxuxu I visited Kavalan distillery today and tried almost all I can see. In my point of view, all of their whisky seem to have heavy flavor, N/P/F are mostly very nice which makes them able to compete with good whiskies in the world. But it’s true that all of them you can tell from the taste that they are young. According to my humble experience, if Glen Scotia Victoriana is a 35yo rich and heavily makeup woman, Kavalan whiskies are rich and heavily makeup 20yo girls. Most of their whiskies are worth trying like Fino sherry oak 54% or Podium 46% but don’t try their 40% products(actually don’t waste life on all 40% whiskies).

[@helloxuxu]

@@ace44888 this is excellent information Ace. Thanks for your research and response! A couple of bottlings of Kavalan are available at a specialist whisky shop here in New Zealand, but they’re priced well above some splendid Scotch single malts I’ve yet to try. Sending best wishes to your beautiful island. Hopefully things settle down quickly following the Pelosi visit. I’m hoping to visit myself later this year, but the border is still closed to tourist visitors.

[@albertomolina3868]

The 12 year I last bought is inferior to past bottles. The same can be said about blue label. 15 - 20 years ago blue label was fantastic. In the past 3 years I had a bottle and a few samples. Not at all what it used to be. I understand that blue label gets a lot of hate but past bottles were fantastic in my opinion. I really appreciate this review. The honesty about the name compared to the actual whiskey is so spot on.

[@jimflys2]

This is the second Scotch I ever had on the airplane returningbto the US from Scotland. My first Scotch was in Ft. William in a pub. There was a sign that said, BELLS. So I said, I'll have a Bells. It was, smooth and easy for a non- whisky drinker. I enjoyed it. I thought the Black was wickedly bitter and not what I thought was good. I havs grown to like Black, but also enjoy Talisker 10 year and many other singles. I have blends I like too.

[@farshadp6114]

Greeting Mr Ralfy, I love your honest and faultless review, I always leave my glencairn glass overnight when I finish drinking at night and in the morning I smell the empty glass, not sure if it is accurate but single malts always smell good and bloody JW smells awful in the morning. For years when I was going out to bat and clubs I used to take my flusk with me with single malt in it as I knew I didn't want to pay $18 for a shot of good single malt.😄 I recently bought a JW double black and it was so disappointing, I have a 21 yr old, green and a gold label which I received for my birthday but never opened them, not sure what to expect and they just look alright in my whisky collection. Thank you for this review, information about deluting the whisky was really good. Another thing I learnt from Ralfy whisky university. Have a great day.

[@miserablerhurensohn]

I still have 6 of the Green Labels purchased in 2012 when I heard that it was being discontinued. My Aunts liked it too so I bought a bunch of it.

[@900nrg]

You should try and if possibly review some extra special from the 60s-70s its delicious.

[@weesky5222]

you forgot johnnie walker island green blended malt with caol ila, clynelish, glenkinchie and cardhu. i like this version :)

[@zsoltvh]

the smoke of the Black Label doesnt come from the Caol Ila in it?

[@Da1Prophessor]

I know blended scotch isn’t everyone’s thing however I really enjoy the Dewars 18 and 21 blended scotches and always keep them in stock. Thanks a lot for reviewing a blended scotch, you may not like it but quality of taste is subjective so there’s someone out there who really like this scotch. Blended scotch whiskey isn’t all bad. 👍🏽🥃

[@robfut9954]

Blends are fine if they aren’t priced too high IMO. It’s easy to be snobby about it, but if they’re cheaper than an equal or less malt experience then where’s the harm? Unfortunately there are few blends these days that check that box

[@gummybearkiller1]

I think we need to taste this style of whisky to learn what is right and what is wrong for yourself. When we learned the less quality we will react to producers. the same for blend drinkers, try out some single malts and get an perspective. A fun gadget would be to include a ml of E150 in the packaging of natural colored whisky and letting the customers decide if more burnt sugar is good or bad. We also need to drink some burbon and sherry to get som more casks for the scotch single malts.

[@charlesperry1051]

Johnnie Walker Green has been a favorite of mine for years. I hope they haven't messed that up as well.

[@jamiecompton8116]

There’s nothing wrong with Green Label. I buy it all the time and it is very consistent. It’s my favorite blended malt. And although I agree JWB has changed, I still keep a bottle around. I’m not as put off by it as Ralfy. I usually switch to it after a single malt or two.

[@mamuka1977]

The only Johnnie Walker I ever buy is Swing and Green label. Thank you for the awesome video and I have to agree: that most people who try Scotch for the first time That's what they buy Johnny Walker red, black. It was so cool back in the Soviet Union times living in Republic of Georgia when you had a Johnny Walker Black, I think beginners looking for one thing :how smooth it is, it does take a time to develop in a real whiskey drinker, eventually everybody will develop taste to it and going to look for more flavors, integrity and single malts. I'm not going to lie if I say most people went through this transition. Thank you for all your knowledge as usual.