The makers of Johnnie Walker announce the launch of Johnnie Walker Double Black, a new limited edition Scotch whisky debuting in the United States this month. Imagine your favorite song; now turn up the volume. Double Black amplifies the signature style of Black Label, including its hallmark smokey flavor, to produce a bold blend of extraordinary depth, richness and character.

Johnnie Walker Black Label has withstood the test of time. Over the past 100 years, this iconic brand has grown from a grocer’s blend to a whisky enjoyed around the world. Year after year, the liquid inside a bottle of Black Label honors the legacy of its creators. The heart of the whisky is the pioneering spirit of innovation passed down by John Walker and his sons, and Double Black is the product of this legacy.

“Johnnie Walker Double Black begins with Johnnie Walker Black Label as its starting point. From here we explored the characteristics that define this beloved blend and thought how can we offer a new perspective on it,” said Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge. “With access to the world’s most diverse stocks of aged whiskies in the world, I was able to create something entirely new inspired by the cornerstone of this whisky house, and arguably the most beloved Scotch whisky in the world, Johnnie Walker Black Label. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to share it with the US.”

By reaching deep into some of the House of Walker’s most distinctive – and unparalleled – single malts reserves, Master Blender Jim Beveridge has created a powerful whisky that stands tall when placed shoulder to shoulder against its brethren blends and stands apart from all other whiskies on the market. Rich peaty single malts are combined with whiskies matured in deeply charred oak barrels. The result is a powerful intensity of flavor that is undeniably Johnnie Walker, and undoubtedly drawn from the signature style of Black Label.

“Since debuting in Duty Free shops globally, there has been great excitement around Johnnie Walker Double Black. We’ve received countless inquiries on our Facebook page and at House of Walker tastings asking when it will be available in the United States,” said Adam Rosen, Diageo Brand Director, Scotch Whisky Portfolio. “People want to try it. They are attracted to what the blend offers by being Black Label, amplified. As with all of our Johnnie Walker blends, we ask that adults enjoy responsibly.”

Johnnie Walker Double Black went on sale October 1, 2011 with a suggested retail price of $40. The limited supply is expected to last just until the holiday season.

Infographic by gustavkatz.com

We found this infographic over on tastingtable.com and it was too cool not to share. It shows the lifespan of many bourbon barrels, starting with being filled with bourbon and wherever they may head to next. By law, bourbon barrels can only be used once, which creates an incredible supply of them. A lot of them head to Mexico for tequila to age in, as well as Scotland for scotch to be aged in. Until recently, there wasn’t a huge demand for them, and then they started being sent to breweries for beer to be aged in, imparting the delicious flavors of the former tenant to the new beer. From there, everything from bitters to coffee beans to tobacco have been stored in used barrels, even maple syrup and sherry vinegar. The maple syrup, might I add, is incredible.

One addition, that I’m surprised to not see on the infographic, is Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS), a massive imperial stout brewed with chocolate and coffee beans that is aged in a barrel that originally held bourbon and then held maple syrup. This beer was released earlier this month and 12,000 bottles didn’t leave much to go around.

Click on the image to see a bigger version of the infographic.

Last year, Gordon Macphail stunned the world when they released the world’s oldest single malt whisky, the Scottish 70 year old Mortlach in their Generations Series. Now, they’re at it again, this time with a 70 year old Glenlivet as part of the Gordon and Macphail Glenlivet Decades collection which includes five decades worth of Glenlivet from 1954, 1963, 1974, 1980 and 1991. The collection as a whole can be purchased for $4,700 or by the bottle individually for $160-$2100 depending on the age and rarity of the particular bottle.

Mutineer turned beer into water with New Holland Brewing with our collaboration beer Mutinous Battle Chai to help fund A Child’s Right’s water projects in developing countries. Now The Macallan and Lalique have turned whisky into water by way of The Macallan 64 Years Old in Lalique: Cire Perdue. The 64 year old single malt Scotch is the oldest and rarest single malt whisky ever released by the distillery and is housed in a decanter expertly crafted using the ancient “cire perdue,” or lost wax, process that Lalique has not implemented since 1930. How much did it go for you ask? It was expected to bring in $100,000 and it went at auction for an earth shattering $460,000, all of which will help fund charity:water and their water relief projects in developing countries. Continue Reading »

Each day, social media finds a new way to be a part of our everyday lives. Not limited to just consumers, it has worked itself into the realm of fine beverage culture and even to companies dating back nearly 150 years. That company is Glenfiddich. Each year, Glenfiddich releases their Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve which is an extremely limited edition single malt Scotch whisky. In years past, the Glenfiddich Malt Master would invite a panel of whisky experts and enthusiasts to join him in tasting and eventually choosing their favorite whisky from a group of pre-selected casks. Their choice would become that year’s Glenfiddich Vintage Reserve.
Continue Reading »

In 1263, a member of the Mackenzie family stopped a rampant stag from slaying Alexander the 3rd. The King rewarded Clan Mackenzie by allowing him to where a stag’s head in his coat of arms. The noble stag became the official brand symbol for The Dalmore after its acquirement by the MacKenzie family in 1886.

Since 1839, the Mackenzie family has consistently made spirits from the highest quality peat and rich water from the land they come from and, to this day, continues to do so with The Dalmore Scotch brand. The Dalmore “clan” has outdone itself with its newest creation, The Dalmore 18, which was officially released into the US market at the beginning of this month. This is the first time in the company’s history that it has released an 18 year old version of the spirit. Continue Reading »

Photo provided by Antarctic Heritage Trust via the Canterbury Museum

In 2006, a crate of Mackinlay’s Scotch Whisky was found, encased in ice, under the floorboards of the hut used by Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1907 Antarctic expedition on Ross Island, near McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. Earlier this year, the crate was removed and has been kept in cold storage — until recently, when the crate was carefully thawed and its contents removed. Continue Reading »

While advocates against alcohol advertising in motorsports have been pressing for years for the elimination of such sponsorships, there are a few teams out there, in a multitude of motorsports, which carry the colors of both popular and distinguished brands. Take Formula 1, for instance, where high rollers and lavish lifestyles are omnipresent, and the sponsors pay a huge premium for the exposure. Continue Reading »