Johnnie Walker Black Cask Blended Scotch Whisky Review

 

We also know that many brands are named to honor fictional people. Was there really a Johnnie Walker, and if so, who was he?

 

Johnnie Walker, born in 1805, lost his father tragically at the age of 14. Consequently, the family had to sell their farm that same year. In 1820, the money from the sale was used to invest in a grocery store in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, which Johnnie managed despite his young age. Within five years, he started selling a variety of spirits from the store.

 

Johnnie quickly stopped producing all spirits except for whisky. At the time, combining malt and grain whiskies was illegal, so he focused on creating blends to meet his customers’ specific preferences. He recognized the need for a brand and began selling his blended malts as Walker’s Kilmarnock Whisky.

 

After Johnnie’s passing in 1857, his son and grandson inherited the brand. With the passing of The Spirits Act of 1860, the restriction on blending malts and grains was lifted, creating new opportunities for distillers.

 

In 1893, the Walkers purchased the Cardhu distillery. The Cardhu brand was retired. What was there was sold as a five-year-old Old Highland, a nine-year Special Old Highland, and a 12-year Extra Special Old Highland. The first had a white label, the second a red one, and the third a black one. People would order these whiskies by color. It wasn’t long before the Walkers rebranded their whiskies to reflect customers’ preferences.

 

That’s the story behind the Johnnie Walker brand, and today, I’m exploring its brand-new expression: Black Cask. No, this isn’t the same thing as Black Label or Double Black Label, although there are some related traits:

 

“We’ve brought together two remarkable whisky traditions in a way only Johnnie Walker can. Starting with some of the most expressive whiskies from the heart of Black Label and maturing them exclusively in American white oak ex‑bourbon barrels to unlock new depth, richness, and warmth. The result is a beautifully layered whisky that feels excitingly new yet remains unmistakably Johnnie Walker.” – Dr. Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker’s Master Blender

 

Much of the grain whisky was distilled at Cameronbridge, while most of the malt components came from Glen Elgin and Roseisle, with a smaller portion from Caol Ila peated malt. Cameronbridge is the majority distillate, as it is a corn whisky produced in a column still.

 

If you haven’t yet figured it out, Black Cask is designed to appeal to Bourbon drinkers who may be Scotch curious.  

 

Black Cask also weighs in at a higher proof than its Black Label siblings, which are 40% ABV. Black Cask is 43% ABV. Also, unlike Black Label’s 12-year age statement, Black Cask’s lacks one.

 

I did purchase a 750ml bottle for about $37.00 at Watertown Wine & Liquor Store in Watertown, Wisconsin, for the sole purpose of this review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and learn what this newest Johnnie Walker incarnation is all about.

 

• Whiskey Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
• Region: N/A
• Distiller: Johnnie Walker
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: A blend of malt and grain whiskies
• Cooperage: Aged in ex-Bourbon barrels
• Alcohol Content: 43% ABV (86°)
• Price per 750mL: $35.00

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore Johnnie Walker Black Cask neat. It had a bright, yet deep golden color. The massive rim shed even thicker, medium-spaced tears that raced back into the pool.

 

Nose: I let this Scotch sit for about 15 minutes to acclimate. When I brought the glass beneath my nostrils and inhaled the vapor, I smelled what I could swear was pineapple upside-down cake; cherries and all. With greater effort, I found a gentle smokiness, along with raspberries and vanilla. Drawing the air through my lips revealed a taste of buttered biscuits.

 

Palate: Black Cask had a soft, silky mouthfeel and a palate shock of bold, heavily charred oak. My second sip featured notes of honeycomb, buttered biscuits, and lemon zest on the front, with milk chocolate, vanilla, and grilled pineapples on my mid-palate. Flavors of barrel char, clove, and coffee parked on the back.  

 

Finish: That char, clove, and coffee remained, accompanied by black pepper, lemon zest, milk chocolate, and vanilla. It was spicy, yet mellowed by the sweetness. There were no waves or troughs; it was very level. I also found it rather short; it lasted only 43 seconds.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: So, is Johnnie Walker Black Cask something that Bourbon drinkers might enjoy? Without sounding wishy-washy, my answer is yes and no. There are several familiar Bourbonsque qualities – yet, only a select percentage enjoy smoky notes. The peat influence isn’t overwhelming, but it’s also unmistakable. There is also a definitive Scotch-like maltiness to contend with.

 

Blended Scotch was my first whisky love – then came Bourbon. I found Black Cask to be a well-balanced, impressive pour that reflects the quality I expect from Johnnie Walker. Making it very affordable is the sugar icing on the pineapple upside-down cake. It earns every bit of my Bottle rating, Bourbon lover or not. Cheers!  

 

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.