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.
R 320 ($39 ).
Johnnie Walker Black Label is a blend of about 40 whiskies from all around Scotland. It is part of the Diageo stable of brands. From the smoky Islands to the sweeter Speyside with some Highland malts in between. All the whisky is at least 12 years old.
Johnnie Walker Double Black Whisky
Double Black is matured in heavily charred oak casks and uses a higher proportion of Scottish West Coast and Island whiskies to elevate the Johnnie Walker Black flavours to a new level of intensity. It retails for around R 500 ($ 56 ).
Also Read: Jameson vs Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky Comparison
Comparison: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Whisky
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!