Johnnie Walker Island Green
Nozinan Mini and Sample Series - 41
6 287
Review by @Nozinan
- Nose~
- Taste~
- Finish~
- Balance~
- Overall87
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Distribution of ratings for this:
- Brand: Johnnie Walker
- Type: Scotch
- ABV: 43%
I’ve seen this in a number of travel retail stores, usually when LEAVING on a trip. I did find it in Hong Kong on my way back home in 2016 but some weird rule did not permit bringing it on board the plane (even though we were past security), and of course it was not available in San Francisco where we connected to a flight back to Canada.
Luckily @Talexander was able to score a bottle and I am not sure, but I suspect that he opened it in order to pour me this sample. This is my second tasting from the sample which I received December 10, and which has been gassed since Dec. 12 when I tasted it the first time.
This NAS expression is reviewed in my usual manner, allowing it to settle after which I take my nosing and tasting notes, followed by the addition of a few drops of water, waiting, then nosing and tasting. It is reviewed simultaneously with the standard 15 YO Green.
Nose: 22/25
Peat is quite evident, but not overpowering. Fruit syrup. Sour, under-ripe fruits. Similar to JW Green but with added peat smoke. Water seems to suppress the peat. Still there, but more integrated into the background. (22.5/25)
Taste: 21/25
Sweet arrival but dry peat development . A little thin on the mouthfeel. Some fruit in the background. Again, with water the peat is pushed back into the late development (quite interesting effect – still there but you really don’t taste it until later). (22/25)
Finish: 21/25
Ashy, pepper, astringent. Fairly long. No change with water.
Balance: 21/25
The peat aligns both the nose and palate a bit more than in the standard Green. Water rounds it out a little nicely. (21.5/25)
Score: Neat - 85 /100 With Water: 87/100
Of course, who can resist mixing the leftover Island Green with the Green? The result is a similar nose but surprisingly richer flavour, kind of halfway in terms of the profiles, but less thin on the mouthfeel. I’d probably score this closer to 88-89.
This is a nice expression. I’m not sure why they couldn’t go the extra step and give it 15 years, or bump it up to 46%. I suspect it could be stunning.
If I do have an opportunity to get it at a DF shop, it will be on my short list. Given the stuff I usually find, it’s usually a very short list.
Find where to buy Johnnie Walker whisky
@Nozinan I like the sound of this one even if it is NAS. The added peat is a bonus and 43% is at least a bit better than 40%. I'll see if I can find it at YVR duty free on the way out to Mexico in a couple of weeks.