TL;DR
Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin is a 12 yr outdated limited-edition blended scotch whisky showcasing the wealthy, fruity character of Speyside. That includes single malts from distilleries like Cardhu and Glendullan, it affords honeyed sweetness, orchard fruits, and delicate vanilla notes.
Launched as a journey retail unique, it stays arduous to supply and has restricted opinions or awards. Geared toward curious whisky lovers and Johnnie Walker followers, it’s finest loved neat, with water, or on the rocks to spotlight its {smooth}, layered profile.
What Is Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin?
Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin is a limited-edition blended scotch whisky, a part of the Black Label Origin Sequence, designed to showcase the distinct traits of Scotland’s Speyside area.
Aged for 12 years, this expression options solely single malts from Speyside distilleries, together with outstanding names like Cardhu and Glendullan.
Crafted for whisky lovers exploring regional nuances, it affords a refined, approachable style, embodying the magnificence and class Speyside whiskies are recognized for.
How Good Is Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin?
Very similar to the Johnnie Walker Black Label Lowlands Origin, the Speyside Origin expression has not received any notable whisky awards. This expression appears to have been reviewed even fewer occasions than the Lowland Origin, as effectively.
The shortage of opinions and awards doesn’t detract from the standard of the whisky – as a restricted version, the whisky might not have been entered into any spirit competitions. Moreover, its journey retail-exclusive nature has made it tough to accumulate.
So, with this expression, you’ll have to do some investigation of your individual to establish how ‘good’ this whisky actually is.
How A lot Is Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin?
Because of its limited-edition nature, Speyside Origin stays tough to supply at retail.
At the moment, you possibly can have a bottle shipped from Denmark beginning at $50 for U.S.-based prospects, and £40 for these dwelling within the UK.
Context Is Key
Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin occupies a novel place available in the market alongside the opposite Origin expressions. These whiskies are aimed toward Scotch whisky drinkers focused on exploring the wealthy, fruity character that defines the Speyside area.
Very similar to the remainder of the sequence, its availability in journey retail underscores its enchantment to avid vacationers and curious whisky lovers looking for one thing regionally distinctive. This isn’t designed for mass enchantment however quite for Johnnie Walker followers and people wanting to deepen their understanding of Speyside’s signature type.
A robust analogy for Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Yr Previous Speyside Origin is perhaps the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time. Each are celebrated for his or her regional specificity and craftsmanship, providing a refined but approachable expertise. The Seiko Presage attracts inspiration from Japanese cocktail tradition, mixing magnificence with delicate complexity, whereas Speyside Origin captures the essence of its namesake area with candy, fruity notes and lightweight sophistication.
This whisky is ideal for many who respect a way of place of their glass, delivering a cultured and acquainted expertise, very similar to carrying a thoughtfully crafted, regionally impressed timepiece.
What Do The Opinions Say?
As said above, the opinions are extraordinarily skinny on the bottom for this expression. Nonetheless, I’ve managed to drag up one from John at Malt-Evaluate, who tasted the Speyside Origin and the Lowlands Origin side-by-side in 2020.
Talking in regards to the Speyside expression, which he rated 5/10, he stated: “This Speyside Origin has extra layers and complexity to it [than the Lowlands Origin]. However with the complexity comes some off-note taste mixtures like the warmth, yellow bell peppers, and cloves with the confectionaries. In any other case, I loved these too. I believe that is one thing Gold Label followers would like in the event that they’re not into the peat the common Black Label offers off.”
Just like the Lowlands Origin expression, John notes that there would have been an additional level awarded had the value level been decrease (round $30).
How To Drink Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin
Drinkers who want to respect the nuances of the Speyside whiskies on this mix ought to sip it neat, with a splash of water, or on the rocks. This permits the whisky to open up and can permit the drinker to understand the fruity, honeyed, and vanilla notes within the whisky. Serving on the rocks will emphasize the whisky’s smooth-drinking nature.
If you’re pondering of having fun with your Speyside Origin in a cocktail, chances are you’ll wish to use a mixer that won’t overpower the flavour of the whisky, akin to a soda. This lets you discover the flavors of Speyside with out consuming neat whisky if that’s not your factor.
Is Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin a Higher Purchase Than Common Black Label?
It will depend on what you’re in search of in your whisky expertise. Common Johnnie Walker Black Label affords a balanced showcase of Scotland’s whisky areas, with a contact of smoke, delicate sweetness, gentle spice, and a touch of sherry. It’s a well-rounded mix that highlights Scotch whisky’s variety.
The Speyside Origin, then again, focuses solely on Speyside malts, delivering a smoother, fruitier, and barely sweeter profile with much less smoke. It’s a superb choice for many who favor a extra approachable, refined whisky or need to discover the signature type of Speyside with out overwhelming peatiness.
What Do Speyside Whiskies Style Like?
Speyside whiskies are famend for his or her wealthy, elegant, and fruity character, making them among the most approachable scotch whiskies.
Usually unpeated, they typically function notes of orchard fruits like apples and pears, alongside hints of honey, vanilla, malt, and delicate oak. These flavors are a results of the area’s deal with sherry and bourbon cask maturation, which provides layers of sweetness and complexity.
Speyside’s whiskies are sometimes smoother and extra refined than the strong Highland or smoky Islay kinds. With distilleries like The Macallan, Glenfiddich, and The Glenlivet, Speyside is well known for producing versatile whiskies that enchantment to each newcomers and connoisseurs.
