by 
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.