Month: September 2018

Whisky #538: Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

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Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky. Scotland. ABV: 40%.

Colour: Dark honey…or ranga royalty?

Nose: Burnt butter, toffee. With more time in the glass, blackcurrant Soothers throat lozenges, liquorice and soft old oaky casks. My whisky tasting lieutenants Dan and Kiwi (aka ranga royalty) picked up some berries and creme brûlée.

Palate: A cool, thin mouthfeel; salted caramel and buttery fresh pastry flavours. Our good mate Benooch (while not a whisky man, but normally inhales absolutely anything alcoholic) described it as like an alcohol wipe over the tongue, but after a few more sips and time in the glass found it softened on his palate with each sip.

Finish: Quite a short finish. Buttery burnt orange with a brown sugar finish.

Comments: The nose is the star here, a real chameleon. Thin on the palate, but surprisingly exceeded my expectations. Much more flavour intensity than I’d expected. There’s a bit of something for all palates in this one – it’s the type of whisky you can have in a group of friends who are all at different stages of their whisky journeys. A great all-rounder.

Kiwi (aka ranga royalty) assessing the colour of the Johnnie Walker XR 21 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky.

Whisky #537: The English Whisky Company Single Malt Small Batch Release for The Whisky Club

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The English Whisky Company Single Malt Small Batch Release for The Whisky Club. Norfolk, England. ABV: 46%. Tasted at Whisky a Day HQ, $115 (bottle).

Colour: Bright gold.

Nose: Floral perfume, like walking past a middle aged librarian. It briefly catches your attention but it’s not overly alluring.

Palate: Soft; very gentle and almost feels like they’ve watered it down a bit too much. Creamed honey, soft oak and juicy rockmelon.

Finish: The sweetness subsides to an oaky, slightly salty tang.

Comments: Like the English Test side’s middle order batting under the hot Australian sun, it’s little too insipid for me. It has moments where it promises much but ultimately falls a little short.