My Handcrafted Opinions on Whiskies, Distilleries and Other Related Stuff
I always question "bourbon cask" finished as a feature of any whisky as most Scotch and Irish is matured in Bourbon casks. It is like saying a "metal car" or a "terrible Brexit plan"; it's a bit redundant. Bushmills have highlghted the #3 char of oak casks used (meaning a few seconds less exposure to fire than the more common #4) as the USP of this expression. The nose is malty with banana, vanilla and milk chocolate. The taste also has malt and nuts, lemon citrus peel and sweet peanut brittle. The finish is initially sugar coating on tongue with a spicy note of cinnamon and tamale hots candy at the end. At end of the day it is another bourbon cask finished whisky and there is not much here that stands out so if you are in mood for no-age expression Bushmills (and why not) I would probably recommend Black Bush over this one.
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Let be absolutely clear on one thing, I like blended scotch. I also like Johnnie Walker blends, admittedly the more expensive Gold and Blue labels, but there is no question of negative bias against this dram. I want to like this whisky, I really do, if no other reason than the Gold and Blue labels are expensive whiskies to like and a lower cost alternative would be welcome.
It has a rich color and a warming nose with malt, oak and a slight smokiness. Not a subtle whisky, the flavors are strong and dialed up... pepper, oak, smoke and a distinct peatiness in the finish. Softens a little with water and mouth feel improves for me, becoming softer and creamy, and a little hint of apple, but it seems to lack the delicate touch and nuances that I love about whisky. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am whisky. Would work well with ice or soda or other mixers where its power would stand up to something like cola or ginger beer (my personal favorite to mix with whisky and squeeze of fresh lime for a long cool summer drink) and perhaps that why it sells so well globally? Black Label definitely has a place in the whisky pantheon, just not in my collection.
Interesting side note: I recently learned that the scotch whisky used in the comparative tasting at the end of the Jameson tours in Middleton and Dublin is Black Label. That is a very canny selection by Jameson, as that really contrasts with the sweet smooth and non-smoky Jameson blend. See my notes on Jameson / Middleton Distillery.
A very pale yellow whisky, especially for a blend, with a hint of green (or is that the iconic green bottle subconsciously appearing in my whisky?) The nose is strong, cereals dominates, with lemon furniture polish and wax in the background. The digestive biscuit and cereal flavors are also in the taste with a vanilla, something like cake or bread, or a vanilla animal cracker cookie. There is some heat and prickle on the tongue as well. Definitely interesting and not your typical "bagpipes and tartan" blend.
Update: I recently retried Cutty Sark and was able to better identify the cake, with the biscuit crumb and some citrus lime in the nose it reminded me of a key lime pie.