Jack Daniel’s

This Valentine day I got a gift never expected. A Liter Bottle of Jack Daniel’s….WOW.
How good of my dear wife, hmmm she knows me so well. I had it the time I received it (could not resist).
I had it neat and guys it was just like what it is well described on the JD website. Smooth, aromatic and the taste of the oak and the charcoal mellowing. Felt like saluting the people who made it. Like I say every drop is worth a single penny.
Then the next thing I did was, Logged in to YouTube and showed her how JD is made, went to the official website and showed why it is one of the best and why do I adore it the way I do.(apart from JW)
There is so much of efforts and experience which goes into getting the whisky just right. I thought it would be good if I get some extract from the official website of Jack Daniels to let you know what JD is all about, so when you have your glass of JD, you will taste it differently.

CRAFTING JACK DANIEL'S
We do things a little differently around here – and that’s what gives Jack Daniel’s its distinctive character. We Charcoal Mellow our whiskey drop by drop, then let it age in our own handcrafted barrels. And we don’t follow a calendar. Our Tennessee Sippin’ Whiskey is ready only when our tasters say it is. We use our senses, just like Jack Daniel himself did. In fact, more than a century later, our Tennessee Whiskey is still judged the same way. By the way it looks. By the way it smells. And of course, by the way it tastes.

WHY WE CHARCOAL MELLOW. HOW WE CHARCOAL MELLOW.
Jack Daniel believed "Every day we make it, we'll make it the best we can." For him, that meant mellowing his whiskey drop by drop through ten feet of sugar maple charcoal.
Seven generations later, we still mellow our whiskey just as Mr. Jack did. The reason is simple: it imparts a distinctive smoothness folks have come to expect from Jack Daniel's. Charcoal Mellowing makes Jack Daniel's what it is – a Tennessee Whiskey and not a Bourbon. It refines our whiskey's rich flavor even before we fully mature it in barrels of our own making. Yes, it's a painstaking process that demands extra attention and makes our whiskey a bit more costly to craft. But Mr. Jack wouldn't have it any other way. Neither would we.

A MATURE TASTE
We all know age isn’t the same thing as maturity. It’s true of people and it’s true of whiskey.
Experience determines maturity. It’s what a whiskey experiences while inside the barrel and not simply how long it’s been there that gives it the rich color, character, and taste that we call mature. Mellowing our whiskey through ten feet of sugar maple charcoal, crafting our own barrels, and placement in the barrelhouse—each contributes to how our whiskey matures. Age by itself isn’t a reliable measure of a whiskey’s quality and character. Which is why our tasters tell us when the whiskey is ready. We judge its quality the same way you do – with a sip.

NOT JUST ANY BARREL. OUR BARREL
An important part of making our quality whiskey is making a quality barrel.
That’s why we devote the same care and attention to barrel making as we do to making Jack Daniel’s itself. We start by selecting the very best white oak for the barrel staves. Our craftsmen fit the staves together by hand, then carefully toast and char the inside of the barrel to caramelize the wood’s natural sugars. It’s from the toasted oak that the whiskey draws its rich amber color, distinctive flavor, and finish. We entrust our whiskey only to new white oak. The barrel’s quality is so important to us that we’re the only distiller who goes to the extra effort and expense to craft our own.


Source: www.jackdaniels.com

How to drink scotch whisky - myths exposed!

It should be noted that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to drink Scotch whisky – it is very much down to a question of personal taste. However, let us offer a few basic suggestions and, for those interested in pursuing the pleasures of “nosing” and “tasting” further, we provide a link below to a detailed introduction to “nosing and tasting” scotch whisky.
Many who drink Scotch whisky neat say they do not want to spoil the taste by adding water. However, equally as many will say that adding a touch of water, particularly if it is pure, soft spring water, (ideally the same spring water used in the making of the particular whisky!) serves to enhance the distinctive aroma and flavour of a whisky. Tap water may contain high amounts of chlorine and therefore would not complement any whisky - your best bet is to opt for bottled Scottish mineral water!
Adding ice to a whisky can provide a refreshing drink but it should be noted that it will dull the fine taste and wonderful aromas and so should never be contemplated when conducting a “whisky nosing and tasting.” Similarly, carbonated water is not an ideal accompaniment for whisky as it will also interfere with the aromas.
The addition of mixers such as ginger ale, soda and even coca cola, is a popular trend, however it does beg the question - why drink whisky at all if you need to mask the taste?
"Nosing” and “Tasting"
The sense of smell is one of the most sophisticated of all the senses, and the pleasure that can be gained from “nosing and tasting” the many wonderful and varied scotch whiskies available today is an experience that should be treasured. This is particularly true if it is experienced in a convivial atmosphere with a group of friends – old or new.

Source: http://www.scotchwhisky.net

Johnnie Walker Swing

THE SEAFARING SCOTCH
Johnnie Walker Swing was originally created by Sir Alexander Walker, Master Blender par excellence and grandson of John Walker, during the golden age of travel in 1932. On transatlantic voyages, barmen desperately stowed loose bottles onto racks to prevent breakages caused by the unrelenting pitch and roll of stormy weather on the high seas.
But one bottle rode the ocean waves like the most experienced of sailors, swinging elegantly back and forth and — in keeping with the Johnnie Walker philosophy — never losing its balance. Its unique glass decanter allows it to swing to and fro on a convex base. And cradled within this bottle lay a blend of Scotch whisky with a light yet luxurious depth of flavor.
Today, a global audience of sophisticated international travelers continues to recognize Swing as one of the most luxurious blends of Scotch whisky available, duty-free, proving that true quality is indeed timeless.
A BLEND OF LUXURY
Up to thirty-five individual whiskies are used in the creation of Swing, each carefully selected by the Master Blender, whose task it is to consistently reproduce the original character of the blend devised by Sir Alexander Walker.
The blend contains a high proportion of malts from Speyside, where the single malts are noted for their elegance and complexity. Complementing them are malts from the northern Highlands and Islay, adding richness, spice and weight. Some have been matured in sherry casks over several years to gain richness, while others are lighter and aromatic. The result: a luxurious flavor that's light in the foreground, with sweet mouth-watering depth developing on the palate.
EQUILIBRIUM IN A GLASS
Swing strikes the perfect balance between luxuriousness and sophistication. At first glance, its rich, golden tones effortlessly tease out the indulgent nature within each of us. At first taste, the deeper Swing experience will move you.
Ideally, Swing is served on the rocks, neat or diluted with water. Its nose is complex and sophisticated with almost perfumed sweetness. Unquestionably soft and accessible, you are sure to notice the fanciful vanilla and sherry-cask wood notes wafting through. Its palate is smooth and sweet. But its light freshness cloaks a deeper fruitiness, with some smoke and restrained flavors lingering beyond. Finally, a lengthy and rich finish, reverberating with sweetness, completes the movement.

Source: www.johnniewalker.com

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

EXCLUSIVE RARITY
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the pinnacle whisky of the Striding Man Society® – it is the epitome of blending. Created to reflect the style of whiskies in the early 19th century, it’s created using some of our rarest casks from the Johnnie Walker stocks, the largest in the world.
The casks are hand-selected and set aside for their exceptional quality, character and flavor. The character of Blue Label is truly unique; it is complex, powerful, incredibly smooth and retains the Johnnie Walker signature smokiness.
King George V from Blue Label was created to celebrate the Royal Warrant given to the Walker family in 1934 to mark their exceptional quality. This blend includes Port Ellen™, a highly prized malt whose distillery no longer exists.
The John Walker is the most recent addition, created as a tribute to our founder. Hand-crafted in single barrel batches of only 330 bottles, it’s an exceptionally rare blend of 9 whiskies, including those from Glen Albyn™ and Cambus™ distilleries. It’s presented in a unique, individually numbered Baccarat crystal decanter – handblown, polished and engraved by one of only three Master Craftsmen in the world.
EXCEPTIONAL CASKS
Johnnie Walker Blue Label was created by the Master Distiller, Jim Beveridge, who continues the tradition of unparalleled commitment to creating the world’s greatest whiskies. With access to the most valuable and precious whisky stocks, he creates this rare blend using only the most exceptional of young and old whiskies.
The JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blender draws from the largest reserves of whisky in the world; a heritage that can be traced back 200 years. From the largest selection of casks in the world, the whiskies used for Johnnie Walker Blue Label are literally hand selected and nurtured.
No other whisky house comes close to the spectrum of flavor that forms the basis of the extraordinary character of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
DIVERSE RESERVES
The whiskies that make Blue Label are especially selected for their individuality from some of our rarest stocks. Maturing in oak means that there will always be the exceptional, the unusual and the rare, and these are the whiskies that are used for Blue Label.
The Master Blenders at Johnnie Walker have always possessed legendary sensory skills. To produce Blue Label requires not only the skill to sense an aroma in parts per million, but to then weave these together, creating layer upon layer of taste and flavor.
Their role in creating Blue Label is to guide the unbroken line of maturing stock until it’s ready for selection. Jim Beveridge, the Johnnie Walker Master Blender says: "I think of blending as being like the process of writing. Is the final book just a series of words, a lot of facts and information, or has it been put together with care and attention so that the end result will relate to the person who reads it? If it does, then that, you could argue, is magic blending, like writing, like any creative process, is much more involved in the world of ideas, with trying to connect with the whisky drinker. I like to think that we have made that connection with our whiskies."
SERVING
The signature serve represents the best way to fully appreciate the extraordinary taste of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. It’s a slow, intense, rich, deep and multilayered experience. Start by serving Blue Label neat in a tumbler, nosing the whisky carefully.
The powerful aromas from the west coast are balanced with hints of sweetness and depth. Take a sip of iced water before your first sip of whisky to make sure the palate is cooled and refreshed. Your first taste will reveal an explosion of flavor on the tongue, which then resonates throughout your palate.
The layers of flavor develop and unfold and the finish continues with more and more flavors developing. Then there’s a rich and uniquely long and satisfying finish of smoke and pepper, ending with a glorious touch of spice.

Source: www.johnniewalker.com

Johnnie Walker Gold Label

PURE INDULGENCE
Johnnie Walker Gold Label was blended to celebrate the first 100 years of the House of Walker in 1920. A well-kept secret, it’s only been available outside the company since the 1990s. It has a distinctly smooth, sweet and luxurious character, with a stylish elegance and refined quality.
Gold Label is crafted using whiskies such as Clynelish™ for a honeyed flavor and creamy texture yet still retaining the signature Johnnie Walker smokiness.
DELICATE SMOOTHNESS
With its rich gold color and old-gold glints, it reveals a full, round, deep nose. There are notes of soft raisins and toffee, fresh malt and light cream – Gold Label is as enticing as it is sensuous.
Its palate is rich and broad with full malt flavors and honeyed spices with almonds and marzipan, which leads to a distinctive creaminess.
Cardhu™ provides strong yet smooth malt and oak flavors. Extra-mature grain whiskies deliver some of the lingering sweetness, while Clynelish™ from the northern Highlands is responsible for the unusual aromatic creaminess. The finish is multidimensional and satisfyingly long.

Source: www.johnniewalker.com

Johnnie Walker Green Label

A VIBRANT BLENDED MALT
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a rich blend using only malts drawn from the four corners of Scotland – the naturally vibrant flavors provide unparalleled depth, substance and intensity. Each of the malts is specially selected by the Master Blender to create the perfect balance in the whisky.
Each malt whisky is matured for a minimum of 15 years to deliver rich, full layers of flavor. Coupled with the blending mastery of Johnnie Walker, it ensures the characteristic smoothness and distinctive flavor of Green Label.
FRESH AND DISTINCTIVE
Four signature malts provide the key taste influences for this 15-year-old whisky. Talisker™ introduces power and depth of character, Caol Ila™ contributes mystery and intensity and, at its heart, Cragganmore™ provides a sweet maltiness, while Linkwood™ adds a final touch of finesse.
Blending exclusively with malts produces a rich, powerful whisky, with each one giving its own intense flavor and aromas to create a perfect combination.
With its rich gold amber appearance, this medium-full malt summons up a multiplicity of complex natural aromas. It starts on the seashore and drifts inland over moist moss and through evergreen forest. Then come the exotic notes of orange peel, stewed peaches, cooked black fruits and sour cherry.
A PERFECT COMBINATION
John’s grandson, Alexander II, was a master of the art of blending. Learning his skills from his father and his grandfather, he was also an apprentice at Robertson & Baxter, an established distiller and wholesale wine and spirit merchant. While first-class training is important, natural talent and a Master Blender’s perceptive nose are crucial when creating a complex blend – like Alexander Walker, today’s specialists possess both.
Like a gourmet dish, a Blended Malt Whisky’s success depends on its individual ingredients. Alexander and George, the grandsons of the founder, realized the necessity of using quality products, and after a long search for a distillery producing whiskies of the stature required for their blends, purchased the Cardhu™ distillery, along with interests in several other prime sites.
This tradition has continued and Johnnie Walker now has the whiskies of 27 distilleries at its disposal, giving its blending team exactly the resources it requires to create the perfect balance of flavors for Green Label.Today the House of Walker uses this unique range of distilleries to handpick four single malts to create Green Label.

Source: www.johnniewalker.com

Johnnie Walker Black Label

“THE WHISKY INDUSTRY IN A GLASS”
With its origins in the 1870s Old Special Whisky, Johnnie Walker Black Label became simply “Black Label” in 1909. In 2009, the year of its 100th Anniversary celebration, Johnnie Walker Black Label is regarded by experts as the ultimate Scotch deluxe whisky, the benchmark by which all others are measured.
Each bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label is two decades in the planning, draws whisky from the finest distilleries across Scotland and is aged in the finest whisky casks. Each whisky is matured in a slightly different way, due to the intricacies of wood, climate and location. The Master Blender’s skill is in blending these whiskies together to create a whisky with an extraordinary range of flavor.
A continued focus on quality and style has resulted in Johnnie Walker Black Label earning numerous awards. Today the blend remains as rich and smooth as it was when John Walker’s son and grandson were Master Blenders. It has been called “a masterpiece, the Michelangelo’s David of the blender’s art, the very best in its category” – Charles Maclean, whisky writer, and “the Savoy, the Everest of deluxe whiskies” – Jim Murray, author of Whisky Bible.
Black Label retains the authenticity of its creator and currently outsells every other deluxe blended Scotch whisky around the globe. That it’s stood the test of time is a testament to the pioneering spirit and the skills of the House of Walker.
BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED
Johnnie Walker has the luxury of having exclusive access to Scotland’s very best whiskies, ranging from the powerful west coast malts all the way to the more subtle east coast flavors. Black Label draws upon all these aromas to create a unique blend with a smooth, deep and complex character.
SERVING
It can be enjoyed on its own, with a dash of still or sparkling water, or with soda or ginger ale as a long drink.

Courtesy: www.johnniewalker.com