The Johnnie Walker lineup used to feel more or less set in stone. Red, Black, Green, Gold, and Blue label bottlings still largely act as faces for the brand with the occasional celebratory or otherwise limited product. Then there’s Johnnie Walker Double Black, a variant originally launched in 2010 to the travel retail market before eventually becoming a permanent addition to the global portfolio.

Details on Double Black are scant, even for a Johnnie Walker expression. About all we know is the “naturally smoky” whiskies used in the blend hail from the west coast of Scotland, that it forgoes an age statement, and costs slightly more than the closely linked Black Label (which carries a 12-year age statement) at around $40. One could argue that the lack of an age statement makes sense considering the ostensible goal of Double Black being a smokier alternative to its venerable sibling. However, bottles like Octomore and Ardbeg Wee Beastie demonstrate how you can use (and disclose) low age statements in a way that appeals to audiences. However, those are also more geared towards the enthusiast crowd when compared to Johnnie Walker, so we can let that slide.

Now that we have a little context out of the way, let’s take a look at the whisky itself: 

Nose: Rubber, Honey, Green Apple, Smoked Meat

Mild, Mellow, Earthy

Palate: Mild Smoke, Cocoa, Old Cheap Coffee, Honey

Earthy, Savory, Balanced

Finish: Honey, Barrel Char, Burnt Ends, Pepper

Medium, Savory, Warm

A smokier side to Johnnie Walker ends up working quite well. The peat is incorporated to bring a stronger—yet still mild—sense of smoke to the profile than the standard Black Label. This means there aren’t any funky or bizarre peat notes like you’d find on a Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, or Ardbeg. Like its closest sibling, Double Black is a solid example of a blended scotch that just works, such as with the backend experience of creaminess converging with the mild presence of smoked meat. Reading or saying it out loud would suggest a bad combination, but it’s an effective combo. In other words, this whisky accomplishes a little bit of what true peat monsters achieve in spades. Which is to say it’s a great second step for someone wanting to gradually get their feet wet in peated drams. Double Black offers a straightforward, slightly smoky profile that accomplishes what it sets out to do without skimping on other foundational flavors and qualities.