As part of an evening with some "youngerlings" at a business party I was asked to join some of the yoots for few whisky shots that were ongoing. They were shooting Scotch whiskey including Pinch, Chivas Regal, Johnnie Walker Black and this particular blend Johnnie Walker Red.
Johnnie Walker has been around since 1820 when Johnnie Walker decided to try to make a top blend Scotch Whiskey. It seems he succeeded well and now Johnnie Walker has number #1 blends world wide. They have five distinct blends. Red is their basic blend. It's also the least expensive.
Havin' A Drink Or Two
When I walked up to the bar the guys finished with some J&B and Dewars and had the tender line up Johnnie Walker Red. We all picked up the shot glasses, one of the guys made a toast and we downed the Scotch. Wow! Red does have a good bite to it and was quick to warm the interiors. More than a Dewars, that I generally drink, and after some further testing and tasting minutes later, more than Johnnie Black too.
Actually I was not about to sit around and get Shot-faced with these youngin'. My drinking-into-oblivion days are long over, perhaps they really never really were. Except for a couple of unfortunately evenings when I simply lost count and account, I never drank all that much at one time.
Though the rest of the guys loaded up on another shot of Johnnie Red I asked for a glass with crushed ice and had mine poured over it. After a swirl or two I am ready to drink. That's how I like it. I decided to let them shoot away and I would take careful aim taking my time with my subsequent drinks. They let the ol' guy get away with it without dishing out any abuse at 'im.
I recently saw the film Letters From Iwo Jima. It was interesting to see the Japanese General with one of his officers enjoying a few shots of Johnnie Red out of sake cups.
I'm not a neat sort of guy. To me having it on the "crushed" rocks opens up the flavour and makes the scotch more palatable and to my liking. A sniff from the wide mouthed glass gives a sweet vanilla aroma with a bit of an alcohol burn. As I start to drink the yellow-gold mixture the flavours come through including a touch more of sweetness but also a rich taste that is smokey and gives a not-so-subtle taste of spice. The burn I first encountered is tempered by the mix of melted and cooling ice.
Once I swallow the Scotch my stomach still gets that warm glow, even when over ice. I like it. I have also found that with easy sipping and enjoying I never get a head ache or any other negative reactions to scotch in general and Johnnie Red in particular. I have had Johnnie Walker Red in my favorite mix, a Sweet Rob Roy, with good results.
Final Thoughts
Though I still prefer Dewers, Johnnie Red is darn good. I don't know if it's an acquired taste but I'm not so sure about moving up to more expensive blends. Price points with product like Johnnie Walker Red and Dewers is just fine for me and I have been trying to acquire a taste for almost forty years now from when legal drinking age was 18. I think I'm stuck where I am but, I never think of it as a rut. It's simply a well worn road that keeps my tires in place giving comfort to me as I motor through life. I should explain that I do happen to love Johnnie Black too, but the price difference doesn't make it worth it for me. I'd never spend what they want for Chivas and that one ranks below all the others I have recently encountered. Just let me stick with my Dewers or Johnnie Walker's premium blend of grain and malt whisky. This 80 proof product gives my head a nice light feel, my taste buds come alive with its taste and I like that toasty warm feeling inside at the finish. This happens to be the world's best selling whiskey. I can understand why
I wonder if those Japanese officers ever finished that bottle of Johnnie Walker Red on Iwo Jima. Scotch doesn't age better in an open bottle, does it?
Johnnie Walker Black
Chivas Regal 12 Year Old, Premium Scotch Whisky
Dewar's White Label, Blended Scotch Whisky
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