Johnny Walker XR 21 yr

[njstone]

I'm wondering if anyone else has seen tried scotch. I know it started as a Duty Free exclusive (I got it at Narita airport in Feb), but I'm not sure if it still is.

I only bought one bottle ... but I wish I had purchased more. It was just over $100 after the exchange rate (about the same prices as a Glinlivet Nadurra here). I thought that was cheap for a 21-yr, even a blended, but especially for such a limited and exclusive, etc etc., item.

They had free sampling at the airport and I tried this and the JW Blue Label ... I thought this XR 21 was far and away the better scotch. The smoothest whiskey I've ever had, just a touch of smoke (not as much as the Gold) and loads of caramelly goodness. It was thick like suryp, incredibly warm on the palate but smooth as as silk in the finish. I'm talking smooth like Zaya rum. This was BY FAR the best blended scotch I've ever had, and honestly one of the best period (only the Macallan 18 bests it so far).

I'm crap at whiskey reviews, so I'll leave it at that. But if any of you are flying internationally you might want to try sampling this one.

 

[cartisdm]

I'm still very new to the scotch world, but I love trying out a different one every chance I get. For my birthday in April I purchased my first bottle (Glenfiddich 12) and I'm nearly through.

Last week I was up in Harrisonburg visiting a friend and I ordered a glass of Glinlivet. The bar tender had no idea what I had even ordered and she must be new because she ended up pouring me FULL low ball glass (no ice). I was in heaven. Even more so after a few more rounds...

 

[Patrick B]

I'd love to try that. I really enjoyed the JW Blue I had last summer. My scotch consumption is almost 100% Islay stuff, as I love that peaty, smokey flavor. Haven't really cared much about others, unless they are the older stuff.

 

[Barndog]

I have not tried it. It sounds like it would be good. But i have not heard any plans on a wider release.

 

[TommyGunz]

Haven't tried that one, but tried another new one from JW that is hard to find, it is called "Double Black" and is the first blended whiskey that I have enjoyed (I don't even care for the blue).

 

[Northshore04]

Never tried the JW XR 21 yr old. I've had the blue label and liked that a lot though. Still, I love the single malt stuff. Lagavulin being my favorite.

 

[njstone]

Haven't tried that one, but tried another new one from JW that is hard to find, it is called "Double Black" and is the first blended whiskey that I have enjoyed (I don't even care for the blue).

They had the "Double Black" at that Duty Free shop as well, it intrigued me but I didn't get any. Wish I would have

 

[daniyal]

Haven't tried that one, but tried another new one from JW that is hard to find, it is called "Double Black" and is the first blended whiskey that I have enjoyed (I don't even care for the blue).

I enjoyed the Double Black TG it was smoky and peaty compared to the Black Label which I like in my scotch couldn't justify the price tag for the XR 21 given that it was blended and there were several single malts well under that price.