Johnnie Walker Swing / Bot.1980s
Swing
3 481
Review by @markjedi1
- Brand: Johnnie Walker
- Type: Scotch
- ABV: 40%
In 1932 Alexander II – grandson of John Walker – released this special bottle. It rocks gently back and forth, hence the name. First class passengers on the big ocean lines between Glasgow and New York could thus enjoy their dram without fear of the bottle toppling over. I tried one before from the 1970s and felt that was great. This one was released some two decades later (but more than two decades ago too). The Swing is still being produced today.
The nose is quite layered and somewhat ‘heavy’, if you know what I mean. Loads of sweet honey, vanilla, sherry influence, sweet spices, a little bourbonny at the same time with even a hint of peat, in the back. This is quite old school, which I am fond of.
It is creamy on the palate. Mouth coating. It all starts on oranges, apricots, barley sugars, plums and other dark fruits, while it slowly evolves towards a more dry profile with a salty edge. One might even call this one complex.
The finish, however, is rather short and ends with a slight bitter note.
Quite good and dangerously quaffable, but does not come close to the release from twenty years before.
Find where to buy Johnnie Walker whisky
I have 2 bottles of this. One I picked up in travel retail in New Jersey in 2012 or 2013, and the other I received from my father in law, and he received it in the late 1970s or early 1980s. One of these days I'll need to do a H2H, but what to do with all the leftovers?