Johnnie Walker Blue Label 200th Anniversary Cask Strength Whisky (750mL)

This 200th Anniversary commemorative release celebrates the Walker Brothers, John and Alexander’s, pioneering spirit and groundbreaking style, and was created to commemorate the anniversary of John Walker’s birthday, on 25th July 1805.

The spectacular whisky in this special edition is a cask strength blend of Blue Label, so the full power of the flavors can be experienced.

This exclusive Blue Label bottling is contained in an exceptional Anniversary crystal decanter that has been especially created for Johnnie Walker by the French crystal company Baccarat.

Johnnie Walker Blue 200th Anniv. Tasting Notes:

(by Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun): 

Aroma: It’s absolutely incredible that this baby is actually quite close to the old Dundonian, as it starts on almost as much peat smoke and a very comparable oomph. Frankly, they’re very similar whiskies, although this JW has a little more fruits such as blackberries and hints of oranges. Maybe a little more bacon as well. Me likes this! With water: More differences with water. The smokiness is almost as big as in the Dundonian but there are even more fruits. Very nice shoe polish/soot combo in the background.

Palate: (neat) … And once again, we’re in an old style, rich and dry at the same time, very smoky and sappy and not too hot. Wonderful development on many tart fruits that keep the whole ‘flying’, lemon, tangerine, grapefruits… Even touches of strawberries. Well, this baby had to be good, I guess, and it is, no doubt.

With water: More earth, leather, mushrooms and tobacco. A little green tea as well.

Finish: Very long, more and more on bitter oranges but it seems that the peat still had a lot to say in the aftertaste.

Thoughts: Right, it’s the kind of bottling that us malt aficionados love to hate. First, because of its ‘bling’ side (but no worries, many malt brands seem to be catching up ;-)) and second, because of all the great old malts that were probably sacrificed. Well, it’s still my opinion but I won’t deny that the end result was of the highest orders in this case. A very great, very old style whisky, and I cannot see why I’d give it a different score. Well worth 92! Ha, blends! SGP:455.