Johnnie Walker is a global brand that had humble beginnings in a grocery store in Kilmarnock.

Today it is the biggest selling blend, but back then it was sold as nothing more than local Whisky. Their Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Platinum is a testament to how far they’ve come.

The difference between Johnnie Walker and other Whiskies at the time is that Johnnie Walker was smooth and well blended.

After the death of John Walker in 1859, the brand was taken over by his son, Alexander Walker, who helped turn it into the global super power (in Whisky terms at least) that it is today.

The Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Platinum

They have a very popular range of drams, and each is known by the colour of the label. Their Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Platinum Label comes at the higher end of the range, and for good reason.

This is a spectacular dram that is full of flavour and is incredibly rich and complex.

Tasting Notes for Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Platinum Scotch Whisky

Bottle cost: £59.84

For more information and to buy Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Platinum Scotch Whisky click here

The nose is full of sweet nuts and marzipan, with thick caramel sauce and crème brûlée also appearing.

There are hazelnuts and pecans to give it real body and depth and these go perfectly with the caramel. There is also a hint of pastries and apple crumble that act as a sounding board for the sweet notes to bounce off.

The palette takes on a warmer, spicier note, with lots of nutmeg and cinnamon. These go well with the caramel and give it a nice heat.

The crumble and pastry becomes more malted in tone and are added to by some rich cereal notes. The barley can be detected and this adds to the richness of the dram. It is subtle and quiet but mixes well with the caramel.

The nuts are also still present on the palette and add more body and fullness to this expression. Underneath all of these flavours is an unassuming smokiness that gives a refined complexity to it.

The finish wraps up with yet more caramel sweetness and one final kick of cinnamon heat.

Johnnie Walker have been around for decades so they are clearly doing something right. With their 18 year Old Platinum Scotch Whisky they are proving just how good they can be.

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