Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice

Diageo clearly is not yet finished with Game of Thrones. After the immense success of the single malt series – which will soon be joined by a new Mortlach 15 Year Old ‘The Six Kingdoms’ – two new Johnnie Walker expressions are released now. After the rather mediocre While Walker, Johnnie Walker now launches the duo A Song of Ice & Fire. The first release in the blue bottle sports the great white direwolf of House Stars and is named A Song of Ice. It is a blend with Clynelish at its heart. It is suggested to serve this with a cube of ice.

Fresh nose on vanilla, popcorn, a lot of grass and coconut pastry. Yes, it has a touch of beeswax, but to say that I can detect Clynelish (with which I do have some experience) is taking it too far. I cannot. A hint of tropical fruit like peach and mango, but underneath a heavy load of typical grain notes. Not bad, but it does not really rock my boat either.

On the palate, it’s all about grain whisky notes. Young grain, in my book. North British, I’d say. Nothing wrong with that, but far from spectacular. Some vanilla, lots of honey and popcorn, a slice of lemon, a drop of caramel. The waxy mouth feel might be from the Clynelish, but could obviously also be from the grain. I confess… it does not move me at all.

The finish is short and sweet with just a touch of oak spices and some vanilla.

When tasting blind, I’d say this is a grain. Good to be mixed with the Coca Cola Signature Mixer ‘Woody’, but not worth the effort neat. Around 30 to 40 EUR, which is simply too expensive for such an entry level blend.