REVIEW: JOHNNIE WALKER HIGH RYE
Well, hello again! I am thrilled to be back writing and sharing here, and what better way to say hi, than with the newly released Johnnie Walker High Rye!
Before I dive into a full review of this whisky, I wanted to give some context as to why this partnership is so important. When I got into whisky almost seven years ago, I had heard so many things about Johnnie Walker. Good things, great things, weird things, and more opinions than I care to mention. All I ever knew in the beginning was that this brand had been around for over 200 years and was still standing and making whisky! I knew, regardless of any opinions, that this brand was essential to the story of whisky. And it was, and still is today. Over the years, I have tasted countless expressions, all over the world and have enjoyed not only the whisky but the stories that come with each pour too. But one story sticks to my heart the most, and that is the story of this being my mother in laws favorite whisky because it was her father’s favorite. And she has such fond memories of this whisky, which is why it brings me even more joy to share it with her. Over the past few months we have enjoyed many a Johnnie Walker High Rye (and Black Label too!) together and it has been such a treat to do so! Which is one of the many reasons I am so grateful for this partnership!
Now to the High Rye! Released in November 2021, the High Rye came striding onto the market ready to capture the hearts of both Scotch Whisky lovers, and Rye lovers too! This is the first whisky from the brand to showcase a high rye profile, and they did it right. Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Jim Beveridge, and Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist, George Harper, crafted this to be enjoyed in cocktails and neat, both of which I have tested thoroughly. Basically, they have taken the building blocks of the Johnnie Walker Black Label and created a high-rye mashbill, which contains rye, barley and wheat with at least 60% rye. It is then aged in first fill and refill American Oak casks. With it being bottled at 45% ABV, you get a nice bump in body, which I really like. Plus, it stands well in cocktails. You will also find the signature distilleries of Cardhu, Cameronbridge, Caol Ila, Teaninich, Clynelish, and Glenkinchie inside the bottle as well! As a whisky nerd, its been great fun to dive into these distilleries independently and see if I can find their characteristics in the High Rye and other Johnnie Walker expressions.
JOHNNIE WALKER HIGH RYE BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY:
Mashbill: rye (at least 60%), wheat, barley
Casks: 1st and 2nd fill American Oak
ABV: 45%
Price: approximately $34 USD here in the states
Signature Distilleries: Cameronbridge, Cardhu, Caol Ila, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, and Teaninich
Color: It almost reminds me of the color of the seats inside my Volvo. Peanut butter and sunsets on the beach.
Nose: At first there is this lovely sweetness of honeysuckle. Smells fresh and bright, and the rye spice tickles your nose. Digging beyond the sweetness if a faint dusty, leather pastry note, which I quite enjoy!
Palate: You really get that waxy character up front. I find it more prominent here than I do in the Black Label, and its followed by bold notes of green apple and cabinet spice. Going back more vanilla pear jam comes flooding the palate with nutmeg and subtle cinnamon on the finish. In short, it’s like eating a spiced apple and pear tart with oily, full-fat whipped cream on top while sitting in a field on a warm spring day in Speyside!
Overall: I have shared this with a few friends over the past few months who have been of the opinion that blends are “blah blah bah” (blends are great, btw!) or have not been keen on scotch whisky. This is a great in-between, capturing those who love the bold rye forward whiskies and those who too love Scotch whisky. I have had great reception to sharing this and have widened some minds and palates in the process. This is a whisky that I very much enjoy neat, and very much enjoy in a cocktail (makes a great Manhattan and Old Pal! I’ve even made a highball with it, and yes, thats good too!) Well done to the team at Johnnie Walker. This is a welcome addition to the portfolio, and one I am happy to keep on my shelves for many years to come!
The Fine Print: This bottle was provided to me by Johnnie Walker. All photos and views are my own. This review is honest, and in no way swayed by the professional relationship between me and the brand. While I am in a paid partnership, I just got lucky it was with a brand I already enjoy, and enjoy talking about. Honest and upfront is how I promise to keep this. Massive thank you to the team at Johnnie Walker US for the opportunity!
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Must be 21+
Please drink responsibly.
