Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old

Taiwan likes Walker Green, and it seems that Walker Green likes Taiwan. Taiwan was one of the few places to find itself at the receiving end of Walker Green’s 180 Cask release a few years back. After that, when Diageo discontinued the Green internationally, production continued strictly for the benefit of this little East Asian island. Now, with Walker Green returning to international shelves for a limited one year run, once again Taiwan is being treated to something special. For the summer of 2015, we’ve got a limited edition Green Label at 48%. I’ve always liked the Green Label, so this is something I was eager to try.

Nose: Maritime, with more peat and salt than the classic Green. Seaweed, minerals, honey, heather, leather, salt, gentle peat, gentle citrus.

Palate: Medium bodied, arriving gently then steadily intensifying in flavour. Smoke, honey, heather, butterscotch, oak, green apple candy, black pepper, and faint licorice.

Finish: Quite long and solid, with smoke, oak, black and white pepper, chili powder, heather, butterscotch, lemon tart, minerals, oak, honey, and green apple candy.

Thoughts: Predictably, this is a bigger, better, and more concise version of the traditional Green. The salt and peat have been intensified without the overall balance being affected. And, most importantly, the finish has been VASTLY improved by the added abv, with much more vibrant oak, heather, and butterscotch notes. Flavour-wise, it’s a pretty straight arrow, but the development and finish are bigger and more layered. This is absolutely the best iteration of the Green Label I‘ve had. In fact it’s the best Walker I’ve ever had, hands down. Shame it’s only getting a short run in an obscure part of the world. They’ve got a real winner on their hands, this could and should enjoy a broader release.

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