Rogers72 Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 First off, as a disclaimer, I am a lifelong devotee to Johnnie Walker Black and generally prefer fine blends to MOST single malts. I have been waiting years to try Johnnie Walker Blue Label but just never could bring myself to buy a bottle as it is around $200 USD for 750ml here. Last weekend I traveled to visit an old college friend and he told me he had a special bottle for us...I obliged to bring the cigars. I showed up with a Bolivar BF (POS NOV 06 from Rob) for each of us and he pulls a bottle of Blue Lable from under the bar. I won't attempt to wax poetic about either but the Scotch (I had some neat and some with ice chips) was pure heaven. It was so smooth and complex that I could not tell one characteristic that dominated but it seemed to have abundance of everything balanced out perfectly. I was expecting to be let down given the price but this was well worth the money and then some when an occasion presents itself. The cigar was also wonderful except some burn issues toward the end. I am new to the Bolivar marque but I would say that it was dominated by smooth woodsy, earthy notes with more creaminess than spice. Ash was as white and sticky as I have ever seen from a cuban. It hung on for a good 2 1/2 inches. This combination on a mild January night in south Georgia was one of those moments with great friends, great whisky, and great cigars that I will remember for the rest of my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Thanks for the post. In another thread, a couple of members mentioned that to their palates, the difference in taste from JW green to blue was minute (my word), especially considering the price differential. Do you have a take on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyosa Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 next time you're in mexico , or you have a friend who is , the JW blue is @ $125-130 a bottle (750 ml) at any of the airport duty frees ..... gyosa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy2 Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 JW green to blue in no way tastes the same a BIG difference in flavor day and night . I would say Gold tastes more like blue both are my fav's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaltPointer Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 »I won't attempt to wax poetic about either but the » Scotch (I had some neat and some with ice chips) was pure heaven. It was » so smooth and complex that I could not tell one characteristic that » dominated but it seemed to have abundance of everything balanced out » perfectly. I was expecting to be let down given the price but this was » well worth the money and then some when an occasion presents itself. Agree with this 100% . . . JW Blue is a sublime scotch whisky. for me; the most noteworthy thing about it is the finish, which goes on and on and on and on. and to Colt45's point . . . I remember that post well, and have thought about it quite a bit as I've gazed into my whisky cabinet from time to time. Here's where I am on this right now--the characteristics and taste profiles of the JW blends are, in my opinion, quite different from each other up and down the line. As to which label exhibits the most "quality," and is worth the most money, that's where it gets dicey to me. The Gold and Green are closest in quality, in my opinion . . . and I much prefer the profile of the Gold between them. But there's something about the Blue that is indeed special. I've never sprung for a full 750ml bottle, but I do own a 200ml short boy that I got in the duty free shop at Orly in Paris. Is a bottle of Blue worth $200? I can't for the life of me decide . . . but it is a great dram. I guess I'll have to face the music when I've taken the last sip out of my current bottle. Look for me to change my mind again at that point. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticBasque Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I still haven't been able to bring myself to splurge on a bottle of Blue Label and so, unfortunately, I've yet to try it. But I will say that Gold Label is one of the best cigar pairings I've had out of any Scotch (Single Malt or Blend) to date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gargett Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 » Thanks for the post. In another thread, a couple of members mentioned that » to their palates, » the difference in taste from JW green to blue was minute (my word), » especially considering » the price differential. Do you have a take on this? for me, i'd say that the 'minute' difference applies much more to the level of quality than the actual taste/style. i think gold/blue/black all vert different. one often hears people knock JW but i think it is simply the tall poppy syndrome. all are excellent whiskies, even though i'll confess that i much prefer rum, gin, bourbon, cognac etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 » for me, i'd say that the 'minute' difference applies much more to the » level of quality than the actual taste/style. i think gold/blue/black all » vert different. I'm not sure I have the ability to make the distinction. What is quality? For me , it would be making the best possible use of ingredients and techniques available, which in essence, dictates taste and style. Though perhaps in the effort to maintain taste consistency, this may not always be the case. As I am no expert with regards to whiskey, I find myself trying to think of it in terms of wine, which may not pertain - and I'm no expert there either. Regardless, thanks to these posts, I now look forward to trying these JW blends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CigarZen Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I read somewhere that JW Blue is made by Royal Lochenvar (sp?) -- does any one know if this is, or was, the case? There is a RL for about $230, if I recall. Anyone try that? I have eyed it, and have been considering spring for it, but always retreat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I am also a JW "black," fanm an excellent value, although my experience is primarily with the single malts. That being said, I had the opportunity to taste all 4, black, gold, green and blue side by side, and no doubt the blue was in a league of its own. The green did not do much for me and the gold was, in my opinion, the best of the bunch, being that I could not bring myself to spring for the Blue. I'm going to another tasting soon and will replenish my supply, probably with some gold and single malts. Have you tried *****, Japanese single malt? Very, good, floral and complex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackFriar Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 I must admit that on the previous thread I was the basher of blends. But honestly Single Malts are just my personal preference. The higher end blends are so smooth that I just don't get the pleasure I associate with Single Malts. Namely, the Single Malt's "clue-by-four" assault upon your senses, where each of the Single Malts tends to have an overriding characteristic like smoky / peatiness, or iodine. I have drunk many a bottle of Blue Label in Korea, we used to have "Blue Label Parties" where everyone brings a bottle, and nobody leaves till it's all gone. JW Blue is a great blend, just not what I particularly like. On the Japanese note, Suntory made good Scotch as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaltPointer Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 » That being said, I had the opportunity to taste all 4, black, gold, green » and blue side by side, and no doubt the blue was in a league of its own. » The green did not do much for me and the gold was, in my opinion, the best » of the bunch, being that I could not bring myself to spring for the Blue. Hey man, you didn't sneak into my liquor cabinet at Thanksgiving when you and the family were down for a visit, did you? and I'm with you on the Gold. Much tastier than the Green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy2 Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 Japanese go with Yamazaki 18 yr Scotch some of the best you will thank me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 » Well, um, er, let's see. How was I supposed to know not to have shots with the Blue? It was dark when I opened he cabinet and I thought it was the "Old Crow" that I was drinking! Cheers. BTW, when you are ready, I've been lookng to get my hands on some Monte Especials or Partagas Connie #1's. I'm sure Rob can suggest which one from his collection is smoking well, right Rob? C:-P :-D heers, have a great weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Hemingway Posted February 3, 2008 Share Posted February 3, 2008 there is no doubt that jw blue label is the finest blended scotch whisky! i agree with the blue label being the sublime of scotch. i havent been able to come to grips of spending the $175, near me, for a bottle but i got lucky, during the holidays johnny walker made a 4 bottle gift set..including jw red,jw black,jw gold and YES jw blue!!! (every one except green). but it was only a hundred bucks for the 4 little bottles, around a pints worth. mmmm. i was so floored once again by the taste i will buy the larger bottle when the smaller ones are finished. in my personal taste, the johnny walker that taste anywere close to the blue label is the gold label. if i cant get blue i am fine with the gold. very smooth scotch. if you all get a chance look for the new johnny walker "SWING", extremely smooth blend in a really cool bottle that swings back and forth when placed on a flat surface. its kind like those blow up punching dummies that wont fall over when you push it, pretty neat bottle indeed. going for the jw blue label king george V at tax return time!! only $600 a bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogers72 Posted February 4, 2008 Author Share Posted February 4, 2008 » Thanks for the post. In another thread, a couple of members mentioned that » to their palates, » the difference in taste from JW green to blue was minute (my word), » especially considering » the price differential. Do you have a take on this? I'll weigh in on this in agreement with others as there is nothing minute about the differences b/t Blue and Green. Now, there may be some people who prefer green to blue or whatever as any preference would be a matter of personal taste; but, there is a HUGE difference b/t the two as well as b/t all of the other JW blends. On taste alone with no regard to price, I would rate the JW blends like this if I was forced to: JW Blue: 98 JW Black: 91 JW Gold: 89 JW Green: 88 JW Red: 83 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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