Water of Life – Johnnie “White Walker”
Now, Johnnie Walker.
Marius Mueller Westernhagen’s go to.
If you are remotely into Scotch, there is no way you would not have come across it.
Johnnie Walker Blue remains a go to, especially when I am traveling internationally, and the watering hole of choice is not able to hit my weak spots for smoke and peat.
Yes, it is a blend but at that, it is ensured that all components are of prime quality and not that age is the ultimate indicator, but none of the individual whiskies used is young than twenty years. The borderline iconic presentation has become one with the liquid emission.
Now, what we got here is a limited edition “White Walker” edition release.
As any HBO aficionado would be able to tell, it’s of course a Game of Thrones themed release coinciding with the winter coming in most parts of the world and paying homage to the humanoid ice creatures of the show.
The beauty of this release starts with the GoT themed packaging of the bottle – a villainous White Walker is gracing the updated logo of the frosted bottle dressed and prepped in the trademark Johnnie Walker way. In other words, Mr Walker has gotten the zombie treatment with gleaming blue eyes and he comes equipped with a sword. To top it off, once the flagon is exposed to the freezer and temperatures descend into minus territory, a secret message appears, i.e. a reminder that “Winter is here”.
I was a bit suspicious as to the nature of this release – is it just a gimmick?
So, this is just a gimmick whisky, right?
Upon sampling the dram, I was pleasantly surprised as opposed to JW’s trademark flavours, this one makes an excellent breakfast whisky with its delicate aroma, citrussy nuances and spicy hints with an elongated fruit finish.
White Walker still harbours the velvety vanilla creaminess and hints of the characteristic Johnnie Walker smoke, but it is complex in the sweet department, very well balanced and very approachable – I’d imagine this to be palatable even to those who would normally not be enticed to sample whisky outside cocktail territory.
The fact that due to the nature of this special edition, one is encouraged to skip the ice and chill the bottle instead, makes it ideal for sipping it neat.
Summer is coming on terra australis and it is going to be an enjoyable one, walking with long decisive steps side-by-side with the chilled White Walker.
Read more Water of Life entries here.
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Photo provided
