A wee dram

Just like people, whisky blends have individual characters. Some are smooth and polished but lack backbone; others have strength, but fall short on personality. But one with strength and charisma promises a lot! Not all at once of course, if all is revealed at first taste, there's nothing more to explore. Time is needed to fully explore one worth having.

Around 40 malts are blended together to make Johnnie Walker Black Label and about 35 are used for Johnnie Walker Red Label. Tagged as the world's most popular whisky, the Red Label has a distinctive strength of character and fullness of flavor.

More enigmatic, the Black Label's deep taste unfolds slowly. First feel on the tongue is smooth and silky, and the taste is initially fruity quickly followed by an earthy, peaty taste. As it sits on the palate the flavor becomes sherry-like, almost raisin-y, with a smooth hint of vanilla (custard) on the lingering aftertaste. It's just ambrosial, and, as any Scot will tell you, it's a sin to gulp it down.