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Johnnie Walker Swing / Bot.1980s

Swing

3 481

@markjedi1Review by @markjedi1

8th Jun 2018

1

  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    81

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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.

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4 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

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?

5 years ago 0

@markjedi1
markjedi1 commented

By all means, do the H2H, it will be fun! And the difference will be remarkable too. What leftovers? smile

5 years ago 0

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

After a H2H I will have 1.4 L of swing left. Given my usual rate of throughput, those bottles will take up space on my shelf for at least 10 years...

I'll just have to do it with others around... and send samples.

5 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Robert99
Robert99 commented

@Nozinan i know your many friends would be happy. wink

5 years ago 2Who liked this?

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