Johnnie walker double black vs black

I love a glass of Johnnie Walker Black Label during the week. It is a bottle I replace quite frequently. Over weekends, however, you will find me with a glass of Johnnie Walker Double Black whisky. Why do I drink them so differently?

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Johnnie Walker Double Black Whisky
Comparison: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Whisky
Is Double Black better than Black label?
Whats the difference between Johnny Walker black and double black?
Is Double Black stronger?
Which is more expensive black label or double black?

I have never tried them side-by-side. This past weekend I pitted these two bottles against each other. Is the Double Black really double the goodness? I think you sometimes get a better sense of how good whisky is if you do a side-by-side comparison. So today I look at the Johnnie Walker Black Label vs Double Black whisky.

This whisky has consistently been one of the top-selling blends in the world since 1909. Johnnie Walker is considered the most widely distributed brand of Scotch whiskey globally, and this blend has an affordable price point. In South Africa, the Johnnie Walker Black Label retails for around
R 320 ($39 ).

Johnnie Walker Black Label is a blend of about 40 whiskies from all around Scotland. It is part of the Diageo stable of brands. From the smoky Islands to the sweeter Speyside with some Highland malts in between. All the whisky is at least 12 years old.

Johnnie Walker Double Black Whisky

Johnnie Walker Double Black whisky, released in 2011, takes the iconic flavours of Johnnie Walker Black to the next level. Diageo, Jim Beveridge, Master Blender for Diageo wanted to create a darker, smokier interpretation of the famous Johnnie Walker Black.

Double Black is matured in heavily charred oak casks and uses a higher proportion of Scottish West Coast and Island whiskies to elevate the Johnnie Walker Black flavours to a new level of intensity. It retails for around R 500 ($ 56 ).

Also Read: Jameson vs Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky Comparison

Comparison: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Whisky

	Johnnie Walker Double Black whisky	Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky
Price point	R 500	R 320
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Amber with a little bit of red and copper	Polished amber
Nose	Richness, complexity and luxury. There are notes of smoke, sherry rich Christmas pudding, red berry fruits and nuts. Hints of vanilla with touches of malt.	Faint smoke, red berries and tropical fruit, Christmas pudding with heaps of vanilla toffee and winter spice.
Palate	Some initial peppery spices, quickly followed by smoke. It's a nice big mouthful and there is a butter creamy richness to the flavour profile. Hints of ash are beautifully balanced with honey sweetness. After the addition of water, the Double Black becomes sweeter, smoother and easier drinking. It does, however, lose some of its complexity.	Smooth and easy drinking with smoke and peat perfectly balanced with fruit, citrus flowers, oak and malt. A creamy toffee sweetness with hints of spice and cereal. You don't even need to add water, but water releases a bit more sweetness.
Finish	It has a brilliant finish that builds slowly. The finish ends in notes of pepper, malt and citrus. Without water, the finish is better. Some citrus bitterness is released in the finish when you add water.	Awesome. Long and rewarding balanced between fruity sweetness, smoke, citrus peel, vanilla and warming pepper spice.
Region	Blended Whisky	Blended Whisky
My Rating	Excellent	Divine
Rating on Whizzky	3.6 from 792 ratings	3.3 from 1762 ratings
Comments	Big, bold and robust. Rich and delicious.	Easy drinking and rewarding. Full bodied.
You will like it if you are looking for…	Something big and bold with a luxurious feel.	Something easy drinking and affordable with smoke and peat.
Pairs well with	Blue Cheese, smoked leg of lamb or a rump steak.	A cheese platter or roasted pork.

The difference between these two drams is remarkable. From the colour to the palate intensity, the difference is quite noticeable. The Black Label is slightly lighter in colour compared to the Johnnie Walker Double Black. The strong point of the Black Label is the fact that it is more accessible, easy drinking and smooth with rich peat. It has more fruity notes and is slightly spicier than the Double Black.

The Double Black is bolder, more vibrant and more luxurious. Double Black is a more grown-up version of the Black Label whisky. It is the whisky to show you have arrived. The whisky to drink when you celebrate your achievements.

Both of these are excellent blended whiskies. I don’t mind either of these two in my glass!

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Is Double Black better than Black label?

Black Label has more fruity tasting notes and is slightly spicier, while Double Black is bolder, more luxurious, and vibrant. Black Label is sweet and smooth like creamy toffee with cereal, vanilla, and spice; however, Double Black starts with spice and then overflowing smoke.

Whats the difference between Johnny Walker black and double black?

The strong point of the Black Label is the fact that it is more accessible, easy drinking and smooth with rich peat. It has more fruity notes and is slightly spicier than the Double Black. The Double Black is bolder, more vibrant and more luxurious. Double Black is a more grown-up version of the Black Label whisky.

Is Double Black stronger?

Johnnie Walker Double Black also makes the stronger and smokier notes typical of Islay scotches much more approachable to the blended scotch drinker.

Which is more expensive black label or double black?

Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old will cost about $40 for a 750mL bottle at 40 percent alcohol by volume, or 80-proof. Johnnie Walker Double Black will cost about $47 for a 750mL bottle at 40-percent ABV or 80-proof.