Johnnie Walker Gold and Platinum

...and also, has anyone had a chance to taste the NAS Gold Label or the Platinum Label?

The Gold is going NAS everywhere, afaik, and the Green Label is disappearing in most places.

I wrote some notes about the newbies on the TWE Blog: blog.thewhiskyexchange.com/2012/07/…

I wasn't a fan of the new Gold, but the Platinum's pretty good - great nose, not quite so good palate.

@michaelschout, Diageo's global strategy would appear to extend way beyond introducing these two newcomers to the lineup. Last year saw the introduction of JW Double Black, and now comes JW's "Explorer's Club" series, launched with the release of JW: The Spice Road a few weeks ago. They will release the "Gold Route" and the "Royal Silk Route" in the months to come. It appears these will be available only in the duty-free shops. See: tinyurl.com/bha7coz

I have everything in the old JW lineup (except JW Swing), and my experience with the label, as well as consensus of opinions of the new Gold and Platinum, doesn't compel me to rush out and buy any of the new ones (which I haven't seen at any stores in the Chicago area anyway). @cowfish and others have given the Platinum mostly positive reviews, but not positive enough to justify the price tag, IMO.

They can release more expressions than Ardbeg and Bruichladdich combined, but I'll still long for the Green Label. (Eventually, anyway. I've stocked up on three bottles of it.)

@cowfish Thank you for sharing your blog link. I think I have been there on occasion. It is always helpful.

I was going to put the new Gold & Platinum on my "hit" list. But it is getting well over the top IMHO. I have all the other expressions (Blue & Gold 18 were gifts). I also have the "Swing".

At these price points, there are many that are ahead of these ones wanting a space in my cabinet. (Yes... they sometimes do shout out to me in the store)

@WhiskyBee and @cowfish Thanks for sharing the links. It clarifies a lot. JW is certainly being busy lately.

@michaelschout: Received a JW. NAS Gold at Christmas and would have to say that at any price this is a very poor Wkisky Blend indeed. Not only is it barely drinkable it has an abomination of a pouring top that will not pour but is virtually impossible to remove.

This is a most unpalatable Whisky imaginable: It is hard, without aroma or finish of any kind and has that slimy character that comes from storing far too long in very ordinary Wood. There are very old casks in this blend, there is no doubt about that also young casks much less than 18 yo. Alas, they do not save this disaster.

One of JW's adverts for this 'creation' suggests that it is a sipping Whisky and the bottle is best given an hour in the freezer before serving - I kid you not!

One of my boys paid Au.$100.00 for this muck and that's the part that makes me most angry. He thought it was an upgrade from the Green Label that I had hartily endorsed at Christmas and Birthdays. Green Label is $66.00 (or so). What a disappointment...of course, I didn't say any thing, how could I? Messrs Walker will be, henceforth, removed from my shopping list, yes, even the palatable Green.

Best Wishes to all members for the New Year.

@A'bunadhman. I had a 1litre bottle of JW Double Black from a duty free that also had an annoying plastic pouring spout with a ball in it. I managed the break the stupid thing out without breaking the bottle neck. The whisky wasn't particularly exciting, and I would not buy it again. in fact I prefer the regular Black Label and very much prefer the Green. The original Gold 18 I found to be kind of sickly sweet. The new Gold and the Platinum sound like they are to be avoided both for reasons of price and quality. Happy New Year to you and all down under.

@ A'bunadhman, thats really sad that the new Gold NAS is bad, the old god the Century Blend was my favourite of the JW line up. Also need to nab a bottle of green label if its been discontinued, need to grab a bottle before it disappears.

The 'pouring spouts' are most likely anti-fraud mechanisms - they stop the bottles being refilled, which is an issue in a lot of markets who have problems with whisky faking.

Give the bottle a shake once you've tipped it up and they'll generally work without having to hack them out of the neck.