Whisky I've Drank - Johnnie Walker Red Label

By Curt at allthingswhisky.com
A blend can absolutely sparkle. Think about it. A good master blender is able to create his whisky much as a jeweller creates a ring. He is able, as his whim dictates, to position a selection of malts in a setting of soft or hard grains to create something truly magnificent. The sky is the limit really. Components are hand-picked from a multitude of distilleries and married in an attempt to bring to life the blender’s vision.
A case in point, Johnnie Walker Red Label is a blend comprised of about 35 malts and grains. Generally in a blend such as this the grains are used to prop up the malts, where most of the character comes from. Logically one would assume that, like diamonds in the center of the setting, the primary malts would stand out in beautiful relief. So, do the malts sparkle here?
Unfiortunately…not even a little. This whisky is drab, lifeless and uninspired. I hate to say it, but JW Red is the reason that blended whiskies get a bad name. Unfair, really, as there are some exceptional blends out there. Some of which are even in the Johnnie Walker line.
Surprisingly, the nose on the Red Label is actually agressive at first. It smells young and raw. I would strongly advise letting it rest for 15 minutes or so before touching it, and can guarantee you’ll be smelling an entirely different whisky at this point. The nose is chalk full of cereal notes and harsh grains. There is a pungent peatiness which I truly did not expect in here. It really doesn’t seem to fit. A few other notes dance among the grains. Notably, a burnt toffee or caramel and some rather tart fruits.
First sips reveal really brittle grains and cloying peat. There is a certain vegetal weediness tied to these earthy notes, which is only slightly softened by a bit of vanilla. It tastes a little better than the nose would lead you to believe, but by no means is it a stand alone drink. As a mixer…perhaps. I don’t really drink mixed whisky drinks though, so I really have no need for this in my cabinet.
The finish, though short enough is still too long for my liking here. The lingering flavors just aren’t pleasant enough to not wear out their welcome.
An absolutely unexceptional blend. Put the $30 you were thinking of spending on this towards a bottle of The Black Label instead.
One final note on blended whiskies…
They rely on the availability of their components for consistency. I will revisit this whisky in the future to see if I notice any of the changes a few other souls have mentioned both verbally and in print.

Whisky I've Drank - Dewar's White Label

By Lance Mayhew
Dewars White Label blended Scotch whisky is one of the top selling blended whiskies in the world. Once you taste Dewars, it is easy to see why. Not only is Dewars mild, sweet and easy drinking, without a big smoke component that drives many drinkers away from Scotch whisky, but it also mixes exceptionally well. From a Scotch and soda to an elegant Blood and Sand Cocktail, Dewars is versatile, attractively priced and a great introduction into the world of blended Scotch whisky.
Nose:
On the nose, Dewars White Label offers up a gentle bouquet of ripe pears, warm butterscotch, oak and just the slightest hint of smoke. A touch of Scottish heather looms in the background, but overall this is a light, fruity bouquet.
Body and Palate:
Dewars White Label is delicate on the tongue. It is not meant to be a mouthcoating monster of a Scotch whisky, instead, Dewars White Label dances nimbly across the palate, offering quick pinpricks of light malt sugar, pears, Madagascar vanilla, honey and a whisper of peat smoke.
Finish:
On the finish, Dewars White Label offers a relatively quick finish that is predominately vanilla and honey. A longer finish would make this a far less versatile blended Scotch. As it is, the quick finish offers just enough sweet notes to satisfy those who drink it neat or on the rocks, while the lack of a long, lingering finish means that it blends into cocktails exceptionally well without throwing the balance of a drink off.
As it is, Dewars White Label is one of the best selling blended Scotches in the world for a pretty simple reason. It is quite good and can be one of the most versatile whiskies in your liquor cabinet. If you are looking for just one Scotch to keep in your liquor cabinet, Dewars would be the perfect choice.  

Whisky I've Drank - Jim Beam White Label

By Derrick Schommer
I love doing whiskey reviews but I get so few whiskey’s in for review. This week I have the privilege of testing Jim Beam‘s 4-Year Old (white label) and seeing how it stacks up to my palate. It poured a very light amber/orange something close to polished copper in tone which I can clearly see-through.
For those that don’t already know, this Jim Beam is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and reads, “The World’s Finest Bourbon” on the label all arriving at a 40% ABV. There are other varieties to the bourbon so knowing some of the key elements and label color makes a big difference. You’ll also find the age on the back under the UPC, so you can tell it from the 7-year old white label which looks virtually the same (with a slightly golder liquid).
The nose is quite obvious to me: Sweet oak, light brown sugar, a bit of organic cherry notes with super subtle cinnamon. A second attempt at nosing the glass gives me the defined vanilla, something that usually comes along with the oak and some slightly burnt caramel.
The nose and taste have a lot in common, lots of creamy oaks with hints of black cherry, caramel, butter and a bright burn around the mid-palate with a finish that leaves behind a bit of wood and light burn. Unfortunately the finish begins with a slight sourness before it mellows out and end; it’s just not as “clean” as I was hoping from a Bourbon Whiskey. I’d not classify Jim Beam 4-Year as smooth, but it does hold a good weight if not a bit rougher around the edges.
It should also be noted that I start all my initial reviews of whiskey at room temperature without ice, and just a dash of water. I let the bourbon sit for about five minutes before beginning. I then dropped in two cubes of ice and swirled it around, let it sit for another five minutes and tried again.
On ice, you’re getting much more charred oak but the nose diminishes to almost nothing but caramel and sweet oak. I enjoyed the aroma prior to adding ice but the taste is much lighter, taking on a more smooth texture with a very light burn on the finish. Again, icing down Jim Beam 4-Year really kills off some of the flavors but does make it a bit better in texture.
I can see Jim Beam working well in a cocktail that needs to bring some caramel and oak to the party. Is this the best Bourbon in the world? No, not even close to the best bourbon but to it is probably one of the best bourbons for the price. You’ll find yourself spending between USD $10 and USD $15 for a bottle of Jim Beam 4-Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon and that’s a hugely desirable price tag.
I never expect to spend around $13 and get a superb sipping experience because, if the spirit is that good, they’ll raise the price to meet people’s expectations. What you’re getting in Jim Beam 4-Year Old is a versatile low-cost bourbon for mixing drinks and socializing with friends. Don’t forget, Jim Beam makes other products that will cost you a bit more and presumably bring a more complex tasting experience.

Whisky I've Drank - Dalwhinnie 15 Years Old

By AmazonUK
About Dalwhinnie:
The much-awarded and popular Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old is an exceptional Single Malt Whisky that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning whisky palate. One of the highest distilleries in Scotland, the clean, heather-honey flavours of Dalwhinnie single malt whisky reflect its Highland mountain environment. No other distillery may use the water from Lochan an Doire Uaine, (Gaelic for "Loch of the green thicket") which lies at 2,000 feet in the Drumochter Hills; neither may they enjoy Dalwhinnie’s unique combination of a clean, accessible, malty-sweet taste leading in to a smooth and smoky Highland warmth.
Dalwhinnie distillery is situated between the gentle, grassy style of the Lowlands and the austere, firm body of Speyside which begins some 25 miles to the north. The style is that of the Highlands; a resilient marriage of gentleness and spirit. Dalwhinnie is the perfect whisky for sharing with others for that special occasion or celebration.
The Mountain Malt:
Made in the highest working distillery in Scotland at an altitude of 1,173 feet (357.5m) with stream water that flows from mountain lochs. Dalwhinnie distillery is situated between the gentle, grassy style of the Lowlands and the austere, firm body of Speyside which begins some 25 miles to the north. The style is that of the Highlands; a resilient marriage of gentleness and spirit.
Extreme Conditions:
Made in one of the coldest inhabited places in Scotland, with a recorded average annual temperature of 6oC in 1994. Dalwhinnie means ‘Plain of Meetings’ in Gaelic. It lies at a junction of old drove roads, between two mountain ranges.
Palate:
Smooth, soft and lasting flavours of heather, honey sweetness and vanilla followed by deeper citrus-fruit flavours and hints of malted bread.
Suggested Serve and Food Match
Suggested Serve: The wild heather aromas, honeyed taste & spicy intensity of Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Whisky is great neat or with still water in a tumbler, but for an exciting serve try it from a frozen rocks glass, or over ice, which releases the full honeyed sweetness of the malt, or even chill a bottle in the freezer.
Food Match: 

Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old is a delight with dessert! The character of Dalwhinnie makes it best served with sweet accompaniments. Fabulous with a chocolate fondant, chocolate mousse, or bread and butter pudding.
Other Products in the Range: Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition - Each Distillers Edition expression undergoes a second (or ‘double’) maturation in casks that have previously held a fortified wine. Lovers of Dalwhinnie will appreciate the way the fragrance of Oloroso sherry overlays, but does not mask, the heather honey distillery notes.
Product Description:
From the highest distillery in Scotland, set in the windswept Grampian mountians with their unlimited supply of fresh spring water, comes this delightfully gentle, delicatley smokey malt.
Dalwhinnie is one of the six 'Classic Malts' carefully selected to best represent each of the main whisky producing regions of Scotland. They embrace the the full diversity of regional tastes and styles.
Dalwhinnie is a gentle, delicate malt from the wild and windswept Highlands.
It is subtle, smooth and a delicately smokey malt with a honey finish.