ABV 40%
Not unpleasant but not much character. And that cereal sweetness is cloying.
Martine Nouet
Johnnie Walker
Brand
The Royal Route
Expression
Blended
Type
No age statement
Age (Years)
40%
ABV
Scotland
Region/Country
Standard (Distillery or blended)
Bottling Type
Taster
Nose: Discreet. Cereals. Butterscotch. Cider apple. A twist of lemon. Quite light and elegant. Autumnal.
Palate: Smooth and fruity. Sweet, a bit too sweet. Apples cooked in oven, a creamy note of caramel sauce. A spicy touch but it is not enough to uplift the softness. Water makes it sweeter and drowns the flavours.
Finish: Drying on oak notes, with a grainy aftertaste.
Comment: Not unpleasant but not much character. And that cereal sweetness is cloying.
Score: 7.3
Taster
Nose: Liquorice (a running theme this month) a swathe of sweet, fragrant smoke, orange segments, ground black pepper and a touch of sweet \rchilli sauce.
Palate: A very tarry oiliness hits first, with bonfire smoke, some hints of sweet wine and plump raisins. A little thin, but the smoke helps to make up the deficit.
Finish: Lingering oak and woody spice round out a medium dry finish.
Comment: Nothing out of place here. Not absolutely classic, but just about there, with a very satisfying smoke balancing the fruit.
Score: 7.9
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