whisky review 291 - Johnnie Walker Double Black

[@nano252]

Ralfy you are the Tolkien of whisky! Thanks for the honest and constant teaching.

[@Kumite_Champ]

If you were to blind taste this next to Blue or Gold Reserve, you would think Double Black was the more expensive whisky. This is a really underrated scotch. I do like peated and smoky whiskeys so maybe I’m biased but this is my new favorite Johnnie Walker next to Green label. I tried this after trying Gold label and I thoroughly enjoyed the complexity and flavor over Gold label. Although if you like a smoother more sweet creamy scotch you may prefer Gold. But personally I was blown away when I tried Double Black and wished I’d discovered it sooner.

[@VenomousKills]

Bought some of this, it’s actually very good sipping scotch.

[@pross6525]

Throughly enjoy Johnny Walker Black i cant wait to try the Double Black

[@JC-77]

I am coming into this from the back end I guess...starting with single malt and then moving into blends. I have to say Double Black was a surprise and is a good sipper...neat.

[@GuardianofClevelandHeights]

"Smoky without being so peaty." That describes it exactly. I love this blend.

[@mrbubetube]

I tried the double black a couple months ago. It's not bad. It definitely has a more powerful flavor than the black but I think I found the flavor to be a bit overwhelming. My first impression was that it tasted like Black Label and Ardbeg blended together. But as an interesting note, it seems like it's good for both sipping straight and mixed drinks. I liked it but when I finished the bottle, I found myself wanting to get another bottle of the standard black label.

[@coentertainer]

Ralfy what's the highest rating you've ever given a whisky?

[@jaredslater1459]

I really enjoy the double black. it tastes like slightly smokey/charred butterscotch candies to me. i find it a great way to finish a short flight. One of my favourite, easy drinking night caps.

[@wlasan2012]

Hi Ralfy =) One question... Double Black or Gold Label? Saludos desde Chile :D

[@722Jeslek]

Hey Ralfy, been waiting for this! Thank you. Any opinion on Clynelish 14, also icluded (at least in the states) in the Classic Malts miniature collection.

[@Maltmeister1]

Thanks so much for the malt mention on my behalf Ralfy,,,I`ll be sure to listen just that little closer about this JW Dblack that us here in Western Canada cannot get.Hope the day finds you well and keep keeping on.Cheers to the aqua vitea.........Ray.

[@Daniel-zm5fc]

Ralfy I tried Double Black recently and really enjoyed it. What single malt would your recommend that is in the same style?

[@thewhiskybothy]

Caol Ila.

[@edmondbrown3678]

Talisker

[@AtheistVitalist]

Couldn't the extra smoke be from Lagavulin? They always mention Caol Ila and Talisker when talking about JW Black. But this one is more smoky, so maybe Lagavulin - that's also owned by Diageo? (The sherried peat you mention reminds me of Lagavulin.) What do you think?

[@MrRealtalk718]

Johnnie Walker Double Black is the best one

[@Malt454]

Blended Malt is the term the SWA used to replace Vatted Malt (which was much clearer) vs. a simple malt/grain spirit blend, which is a Blended Whisky. Green Label has always been a vat, and contains Talisker, Caol Ila, Linkwood and Cragganmore.

[@maxygg]

Hi Ralfy, love your vlogs, could I get away with adding a smidge of Caol Ila or Laphroaig to my dram of JW Black in order to replicate the DB product ?

[@thewhiskybothy]

yes, should work well !

[@TheStig000]

You're spot on with the burnt smokyness near the end. I tried some with ice and I did notice it getting slightly more harsh near the end.

[@lukesvideogameletsplays4416]

What's the best johhny walker?

[@alexchappaz9308]

excellent review !!! thanks a lot from a complete newbie who's just landed to the whisky universe ..

[@ivopires4416]

I've never tried this brand before. I always thought "not good", maybe because it's sold everywhere. The color looks great! Thanks for sharing.

[@alexk3088]

Here in 2021 I bought a set - full bottle of JW Black 12 with two 50ml minis, one of them being the Double Black. It's enjoyable enough (reminds me of Talisker, frankly) and seems a tad more solid than regular Black. My issue with many blends: they may have a nice tasty arrival but with the additional sips it all disintegrates while the annoying "spent cask" tannins build and you are left with just a taste of a wooden toothpick and pepper. So Double Black is a bit better in that department (we're talking almost a decade since this review). But at the price I would likely prefer many of the basic malts. With JW it's always the pricing, not just the flavors alone. The Gold Label (the other mini in the set, the NAS "reserve") is also a very nice unpeated sweet sipper with a pretty malty profile but who would pay that price when you could get so many of the nicer 10-12 year olds, i.e. Glendronach, Aberlour, even a Macallan. It's just not worth the money.

[@asdefasdef1]

Hi Ralfy, Another great whisky review! Any chance you could give me a bit more info on the differences between the pure malt and the blended green label?I've a bottle that doesnt say green label at all so I assume it's the former rather than the latter? Does it still have the same 4 malts? Thanks, john

[@theonlysyrian]

green lable is back ralfy ! i bought one from dubai airport

[@zebaztian]

" A blanket of Fog" Love your reviews and poetry!

[@dirkydirky757576]

Ralfy, any plans to review more of the Bruichladdich lineup? I know you favor the Laddie 10, but I bought a bottle of The Rocks recently and found it to be of great quality. Also what are your thoughts on the brand being sold to Remy? I'm considering stocking up on some bottles before the new leadership starts making changes to the product.

[@thetruthwasinthere]

Ralfy, when I tried double black last year I fell in love with the smokiness. Could you recommend a blend or single malt around the same price range( I don't mind spending a little more) and availability that top this in smokiness?

[@itstotalyhappening]

Enjoyable review! As sample 3 bottles of Johnnie Walker double black and found you have reviewed it almost exactly as I found this being said would you be able to recommend a single malt or a blend that's comparable in it color and oiliness with the smoke content not as high in peat, this week I have been sampling a Ardbeg 10 year which will keep a place in my cabinet for sure but not quite what I'm looking for....to heavy on peat to light in color not as oily.

[@braxtonamour]

If you had to recommend a whiskey for someone just getting into appreciating whiskey/scotch, what would you choose? Also any beginner's tips on appreciation/enjoyment?

[@acemech777]

I have an odd question for you. what would go good with iron brew? I'm thinking jonny walker red.

[@spikettp]

where do you keep all your bottles? do you finish each one or have a cellar?

[@JBL626]

Ralfy: As you said, you might be reviewing the Gold Label next year. If so, perhaps you could address the issue of freezing. I received a bottle as a gift and thought it was a good, if unremarkable, blend. I (regrettably) followed the advice on the JW website -- I put it in the freezer. To my palate, the result was a bruised whisky that lost all its subtle qualities. After letting it return to room temp, it still wasn't the same as before the freeze attempt. Does freezing ruin it permanently?

[@Booger414]

Thanks for the review. I first saw this a year ago in a duty free shop at Heathrow on my way home. It was fairly expensive and they claimed it was only available there. That may have been true but I saw it in my local store on this side within a month. I just haven't tried it yet. I might have to go down to my favorite whisky bar to have a sample.

[@kenzxck5]

what episold of that vdo plz ? sorry for bad english , im from thailand and i like this channel :D

[@henryl0l]

Easily my favourite whiskey. If you like smokey whiskies, johnnie walker double black is for you

[@thetruthwasinthere]

I think interesting is the best way to describe double black. The sweet and smoke work great together. I agree with adding water to dwell the smoke a bit but after a few months I don't find it needed since it subsides.

[@mercifulkyle]

Ralfy, are there any blends you would rate among the same quality as premium single malts?

[@NEMESSIS1987]

With losing green and gold label is platinum and gold reserve suppose to take their place here in the states?

[@tallicafan85]

i bought a bottle of gold label 2 months ago and that one is nice and smooth, just bought this one and can't wait to try it

[@miserablerhurensohn]

I've read that the last bottle of Green Label has already been bottled. They estimate that the US market will have a supply until Summer 2013. I've got one case now and planning on at least one more case before the end of the year. My Aunts love it and I love them. I hope I have enough to see them through.

[@heavyW8champ]

Ralfy, as long as you are reviewing blends, PLEASE consider reviewing "Islay Mist 8 year old"...You have already mentioned the NAS bottling of Islay Mist in an early review on budget whiskies, which is what motivated me to pick up the 8 year old when I noticed it here in the states...at 20$ a bottle, this blend is stellar! A prolific peaty punch packed for a perfectly practical price! It deserves a mention from the most eccentric whisky anorak on the web!

[@irishboy2k10]

ralfy, i know your busy so i would be very happy with one word answers if you can spare the time. whats your opinion on the octamore? whats your opinion on midelton very rare? have you tried remy martin accord royal? any cigar reviews on the way? thanks

[@wolfowitz92]

Hello Ralphy! Stumbled across a green label pure malt 15 yo! Should I drink it or save it? Thank you for your great and entertaining reviews!

[@TomCPH]

Ralfy, thanks again for a great review. I am amazed that no matter what bottle i stumble upon, you have a review for it.. I favourite whisky so far is the Ardbeg 10 years. Can you recommend an Interesting alternative to that (within the same price range? Thanks again for your great videos. Thomas, Copenhagen, Denmark

[@AmericanPsycho08]

Glenlivet 15 is great. Very sweet and smooth. Add a touch of water and the vanilla really comes out. Definitely worth a try.

[@Rikitocker]

I take a Whisky as I find it and make few assumptions based on Single vs Blend or price range where I can ... I've had $150 Single Malt that I enjoyed less than the Double Black! I had a love affair with Double Black on a flight up to London in 2015 ... having not tried it before I was apt to turn my nose up at Johnnie Walker ... I got a very pleasant surprise! For Aussies ... reminded me of a Bundaberg Rum version of a Whisky if that makes sense ... drank neat ... loved it. It may also help that Talisker is my favourite Whisky ...

[@doelgonzalez2650]

I like the face you make at the beginning of the video...it sets the tone for the review. Great review as always on the nose no pun!

[@jamegumb7298]

Just got a bottle. Nice present. Curious what reviewers say.

[@shoro12]

Recent subscriber here, love your reviews and appreciate the time you dedicate to recognizing whisky greatness. Just wanted to add here that JWDBL is an amazing pairing with coffee cake--perfect for a superbly delicious snack occasion.

[@BottomBury]

I just got a bottle of Bowmore and when I first cracked the cork, the smokiness was overwhelming and a delight. But after a week and half way through the bottle the smoke was almost non existent. Are there any methods to keeping the flavour for a longer period of time?

[@BottomBury]

***** thanks for the tips. i will try the gas outwith the next bottle.

[@jennychok9892]

add cigarette to your bowmore

[@Majonez616]

Thank you for the explanation, but is it good with coke? :P

[@tobelieve627]

You savage!

[@hemantkalia]

HI Ralfy! Any plans to pursue your series of "Handy Hints"...they were exquisitely handy indeed...awaiting the hints beyond #6...cheers....just got a bottle of green label...enjoying a dram with your V-logs..

[@chrish12345]

is this basically a johnny walker version of laphroaig quarter cask, substituting peat for maturity to get those bottles out quicker (and the price tag higher) ?

[@NEMESSIS1987]

Looks like I'll have to add double black to my collection. You think you'll review gold label any time soon?

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

I rate this whisky. Pound for pound, you get a lot. There's a bit of everything in there - Smoke, sweet and an easy sipper.

[@TheSF2Dude]

Now that you mention it, what's your opinion on Dailuaine?

[@coslifehurts]

Great review. Brilliant identification of odours and flavours. Spot on comment about the unique complex character of the original black. Absolutely a good way to get into a good quality smokey whiskey without forking out the bigger bucks exactly as you say for a single malt I enjoy its thicker magnified raisin fruit cake character as well as standard JW Black which is also great.

[@MrJohnneBobble]

Oh I see, Swing will be the next one I'm going to buy, I'm looking forward to it, by the way I really enjoy your whiskey reviews. learning, enjoying, and appreciating another thing in my life.

[@taenyftw]

How would one describe peat in tasting a whisky ? I'm still very much new to whisky and only tried black label in a bar. I got some smoke in the taste and faint salt/brine after which weirded me out abit, still not sure if i like it, it might be an acquired taste.

[@binyamj]

Great review Ralfy. My girlfriend told me that her dad drinks Johnny Walker Red Label (which I haven't heard much of anything good about it), and I would like to get him a decent whisky. Do you have any good recommendations of either a blend or malt? Any help would be great, thanks Ralfy.

[@jettstark1743]

10 years later but,, you can start with Glenlivet 12 years old for a begginer’s malt,, or with Black label 12 years old for a blended one

[@LunaSick]

had this for the first time yesterday taste like a felt tip marker maybe its a acquired taste?

[@noborugarcia169]

Do you have a list where you show your scores?

[@Markpaul9]

I'm sipping some of this now, I can definitely detect the golden syrup as well. After smashing the single malts for years I've come back to appreciate what this is.. a fine smokey sweet and majestic malt blend. I think we take it for granted J Walker can churn out liquid of this quality in such amounts!

[@aluisious]

+Niko Covich I can easily believe they churn out liquid of this quality. This is the first time I tried it. I didn't realize a whiskey could taste like it was burned.

[@PeatSmokey]

Ralfy w/o age statement and w/a bump in price would you "guess" that Double Blk is more or is it less aged than the Stnd JWBlacks' age-contributors? Thanx

[@TheNYCDreams]

were u ever going to review the gold label?

[@OtherworldJudge89]

Double Black is the BEST to mix with cola or ginger ale, even more so than red label.. Such a delicious drink.

[@themaltbar]

Ralfy 4hrs later...the Maltbar can attest that DoubleBlk keeps on giving, unlike the Stnd JW12 which gets a little thin in the tooth as the hours pass. the Doubles' step-up in complexity just gets better as time marches on. Thanks for the recommendation mate. cheers.

[@posvid]

What do you mean when you say the "pure malt" Green Label is better than the "blended malt/malt blend"? I thought pure malt, blended malt and malt blend were just different words for the same thing.

[@HaaziqRaheel]

I don't know if it's just my nose and taste buds, but I highly suspect the presence of Laphroaig in Double Black. Actually, after I finished a dram (with a small sip left in the glass that I didn't pay attention to), I let it sit on my computer desk for quite a while. When I finally came back and picked it up, the glass had that smell I associate with Laphroaig. Also, that last drop tasted very much like Laphroaig. By the way Ralfy, what do you think of Dalmore 12-year?

[@in2net]

great review ... i do agree it seems a bit "engineered" almosdt like the smoke was added after using E154 (smoke).. still not a bad experience

[@changthao7383]

Ralfy, I'm a new drinker so just wander to know how long will an opened bottle of any Whisky stay good or keep it. Thanks

[@aluisious]

+Chang Thao An opened bottle will last months. It's not like wine.

[@natejohnstone]

Nice review! I just picked up a bottle on sale for $39 (USD) because I've never tried it. Plan to give it a go tomorrow. Have you ever tried the XR 21-year? They only sell it in Duty Free I think (I got it in Narita airport). It was just a hair more expensive than the Gold, and it's a heck of a lot better, imvho. Probably the smoothest Scotch that I myself have had in terms of mouth feel. Not crazy complex, but tasty and smooth, and beats the pants off the Blue.

[@TheGuitarist33]

You are awesome ralfy!

[@MrJohnneBobble]

Hey, I'm a bit confused,if you said green label is at the tippy top of Johnnie Walker rated at 89, then why did you rate Johnny Walker swing at 90?

[@Malt454]

The Green Label will certainly be missed: one of the few widely available vats with medium-range aging (and statement!).

[@mhdkam2288]

You are the whiskey Doctor... You only one say what I'm thinking about...

[@bassline0121]

Got a bottle of this for £10.. extremely proud of myself... and i must say whiskey's growing on me

[@Abraxas514]

Hey Ralfy just letting you know the sound of your voice has been a consistent presence in my apartment for years now, and I'm sure many other here feel the same way. With so many reviews, often I rewatch older ones once I've acquired a bottle or tasted the malt. It would be really helpful if you could add in the description of each review a few keywords like: "Sherried, sweet, woody. 89/100" so when I need to quickly compare a couple malts at a party I can. Would this be possible? Thanks!

[@schwarzblatt]

I love Black Label quite a bit, and enjoy this one for its extra spice from the smoke and a little bit more creamy, maple-y sweetness. Great blend, wish it were a bit cheaper of course.

[@deinfluencing]

Very nice, I own two out of those four and like three! Thanks for the info.

[@knarfzxc]

My style bar is a garden shed with a paraffin heater. A few lads over, cigars and pipes, whisky of course, and a home brew or two. Spot on with the Dailuaine, my impression as well. And Dailuaine 16 year old I quite like on it's own, very tasty albeit hard to find. Sláinte!

[@29render]

Will you be reviewing the Platinum? I am holding off the purchase until I see your marks

[@Malt454]

I think Islay Mist 8 is pretty good as well, especially for the money. The grain spirit does cut into the Laphroaig malt, but it's well put together and a good introduction to Laphroaig for the faint hearted.

[@krsmedley]

Ralfy what does your whiskey collection look like? I imagine it is glorious. -Kyle in Utah, US

[@hasithn]

"better enjoy it sooner rather than later" !! haha well said.. deff will finish my bottle soon then! this is the only walker whisky I like.. its good n smoky!

[@mobiussquadron]

Maybe it is just because I just got into whiskey and I have a beginners palate, unless I drastically cut it with water (I'm talking 80% water, 20% whiskey) All I can taste is the alcohol. The regular black is really nice (for me) like that, but this stuff for the most part it is like drinking runoff water from a burning building. That's not to say it's a bad thing. Once I remove the bitterness of the alcohol and can actually taste the flavors (albeit diluted at that point) it has a really good aftertaste, sorta like bar-b-que sauce on ribs right before it starts to burn. Is it normal for beginners to have to water down their whiskey to actually taste something aside from alcohol? Because if I wanted that I'd go with Listerine.

[@thewhiskybothy]

your doing things the right way ! keep to what suits you with presentation in the glass.

[@mobiussquadron]

WOW A response from the man himself! :O I'm half asleep at the moment, so I can;t remember if I have already subscribed, but if I hadn't before, I will now. Seriously, thanks for the response. The only serious whiskey drinker I know in person gave me the whole "it's sacrilage to water down good whiskey" speech. I'll keep going the way I am ^_^

[@aluisious]

+mobiussquadron "this stuff for the most part it is like drinking runoff water from a burning building" I've been drinking nice whiskeys for years, sometimes straight and sometimes with a cube of ice, and I still agree with you. Tastes like they quickly tried to bottle it while the distillery was burning down. It's not my thing.

[@JensThestrupToft]

Be careful, though, mobiussquadron. If you add water to a 40% whisky, it's no longer strictly whisky. 40% is the minimum alcohol by volume allowed in whisky.

[@thomHD]

It doesn't cease to be whiskey just because you've added water. The minimum 40% thing is about what legally/officially defines a scotch, but it is still perfectly fine (in fact conventional for tasting) to reduce the whiskey to 35% with a little water.

[@DhruvDDesai]

hi...always enjoyed ur vids...tried Rock Hill Farms Bourbon recently...excellent stuff...considering the price too...hope u get to reviewing it. cheers!!!

[@binyamj]

That would be a nice gift, but he's not a collector, he wants something to drink. I'm sure he'd like it though. Thanks for reminding me of that one.

[@shuboy05]

Green Label will apparently stay in some Asian markets like Taiwan where it's quite popular. In other words Diageo has the whisky stocks to make Green Label but they are simply making a lot less of that blend and diverting the rest to the Gold Reserve and Platinum labels.

[@cato451]

I am not a fan of the bloated Johnny Walker brand, but I do drink the Green label on occasion. It is acceptable when I'm on the road and he bar doesn' have a decent single malt on hand. I had some double black earlier this year and I think ralfy is very kind with a score of 84.

[@crazyzee81]

I like how you say that it will never top the excellent Green Label. I would try this and even buy a bottle if my local spirit shops would carry it but since they dont I will keep trying a wide range. Green label is my fav and honestly broke my heart when I heard it is being canceled and replaced with Platinum. I will try platinum but I dont understand if green is so damn good why drop it at all. I guess I need to stock up on Green since I dont want to pay a premium for it after this year.

[@camoflux9277]

This is definitely a smoke lover's whiskey. It is much more one-dimensional than he made it seem though. The smoke overpowers every other flavor, but it does not overpower your sense of taste.

[@pross6525]

I Throughly enjoy the Black label i cant wait to buy the double black

[@Juventinos]

I'm 100% sure Ralfy will agree with me here. First: more expensive doesn't mean better whisky. second: For a party nothing beats Vat69 . As mixer, or not. It's the best thing you can buy in that price range. (and i think one of the cheapest). my second choice would be Grant's Family Reserve. third: if all you want are single malt whisky's i would buy a bottle of highland park 12yo, instead of 2 jameson's and invite less friends...:)

[@themaltbar]

Ralfy. 'sup malt mate?! How about a mini-series on Sherry...you know the very sherry's that season the casks of our favorite SMS, ie Spanish Oloroso's, Portugal's Madeira's. You know, to add to our discussion of Malts...eg. first fill, 2nd fill Sherry finishes, etc etc!! The practical end of how it all works together. We think youd be remiss to omit this integral part of the maturation process. K?! thanks mate.

[@JoeCapricorn]

The Classic Malts of Scotland - it's how I got introduced to both Oban and Talisker.

[@TheGreatDanik]

...Im having a party soon, pretty much the most expensive thing i can buy is Jameson What do you recommand to me with my limited budget? Thank you :)

[@baronvonsprannel9700]

How was the party?

[@acemech777]

Thank you for another grate review.

[@DannoCrutch]

Loved the opening look on your face.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

And its Jock McTavish downing a raw dram of Johnny Walker Red label, he's fallen to the floor grimacing! Robbie McCrachen rounds the bend with a Bowmore sip fall behind-and it's Ralfy still standing casually sipping on a lovely Laphroiag 24 year old, he noses the glass..a winning smile!!

[@900nrg]

i agree blends are meant for mixing with other stuff not for sipping neat

[@RadioLaboratory]

Ralfy IYHO what is the ratio of grain:malt proportion?? btw, took a ride to AtlanticCity NJ last nyt and for the 1st time had a glass of JW BLACK. The 1st dram frm the last of the bottle and the last frm a freshly uncorked litre. Difference= Day&Night Oxidation certainly rules my friendly anaraks. JW...well??? Dinner was terrific!! cheers Ralfy