Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 yo ‘The Centenary Malt’
Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 yo ‘The Centenary Malt’ 40%
Another Johnnie. Note that this is NOT the same as the current (2013/4) NAS Gold label that seems to be very quickly taking the place of Johnnie Black in clubs through the land. But doesn’t the Black go better with coke?
So anyway this is a 2008 bottling I had squirreled away. As I sit here tapping away I cannot help but wonder if I should have done a Loch Dhu or something ghastly instead as befitting the day the alcohol tax jumps 25%, decreed by the good Minister as he calmly notes this is the first increase in 10 years. So we used to pay $70 a litre of pure alcohol, now it will be $87.50 – and do not forget this is before the GST is added in.
Johnnie Gold then, for the Gold in the taxman’s pocket.
Nose: At first sniff, one immediately places this as highland in style – lightly smoked, yet so clean, high scents of pear skins, lime flowers, stony minerals. But it changes quite rapidly too. Rounder now with tutti frutti rich tropical notes, and a very typical active wood nose of vanilla, oak and warm spices. Underlined by wax and olive oil. Lots of Clynelish in here? Also.. a grainy note. And something dirty hiding away. Nicely done, utilitarian design, will please most but eh… nothing really outstanding either.
Palette: So smooth! Very lightly oiled, something even lighter than almonds, and honied too, but vegetal with a chlorophyll edge. Healthy dose of ginger and pepper, makes a zingy centre, but balanced. Yup highland style. Builds to a spicy finish, nice. Right, then orange zest shows up.
Finish: Medium long, gingery, dusted with spice.
Nose is far better than the palette. But it’s clear what this whisky is all about.
Oh and… what’s this, the blurb says freeze for a day or two then serve ice cold. Come on…
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