The Basics: 

Johnnie Walker Distillery (Diageo)

90 Proof

12 Year Age Statement

$35 MSRP

Nose:

Underripe pear, light green apple, mint, vanilla, and rye spice. 

Palate: 

Baked apple, pear, clove, butterscotch, sweet mint, and light brown sugar. 

Finish:

Medium finish with allspice and mint tea. 

Final Thoughts:

Within the ever-expanding lineup from Johnnie Walker & Sons comes the High Rye blend, which builds off of the flavor profile in their classic black label. This blend specifically uses 60% rye whiskey aged in American oak barrels along with a number of single malts that are also used in the black label. The nose begins with a grain-forward aroma that includes bright fruit (think green apple and pear). The palate brings out darker and sweeter flavors than those nose, including butterscotch and baked apples, before allspice and mint tea round out the finish. Overall this new release is a nice addition to the Johnnie Walker lineup. It is nice to take those core flavors from the black label with a touch of peat, and add a bit more spice and fruit from the high-rye blend. For bourbon drinkers looking for an introduction to scotch, this is probably a great place to start either neat or in a cocktail!