Johnnie Walker Double Black Scotch Whisky
Johnnie Walker Double Black Scotch Whisky (40% ABV / 80 proof, 750mL) is Black Label turned up — the same blending philosophy, rebuilt around more peated West Coast and Islay malts and matured in deep-charred oak casks for a bolder, smokier pour. Bottled with no age statement so the blenders can layer in younger, peat-forward components, it's the whisky for drinkers who love Johnnie Walker and want the smoke dial higher. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: No age statement (NAS) — intentional, to allow peat-forward blending flexibility
- Origin: Scotland — blended and bottled by John Walker & Sons, Kilmarnock (Diageo)
- Production: Blended Scotch built on Black Label's blueprint with a higher share of heavily peated West Coast and Islay malts (reported to include Caol Ila and Talisker), matured in heavily charred old oak casks
Black Label's Bolder Side
Double Black launched in 2011 as a travel-retail exclusive for one kind of drinker: the one who finds regular Black Label a touch too civilized. The deep-charred casks intensify the smoky character while adding toasted wood, dried fruit, and warm spice, and the result comes in the same iconic square bottle — this time with a black-and-gold label and a dark wood-grain gift box. Among Scotch whisky blends it is the accessible on-ramp to real peat: bigger smoke than Black Label, without demanding a leap to heavily peated single malts.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Campfire smoke rises first, followed by toasted oak, dried fruit, and a thread of vanilla sweetness. Palate: Rich peat smoke leads into toffee, dark spice, and dried raisin, with hints of citrus brightening the blend. Finish: Long and warming, with lingering peat smoke and a touch of char-driven sweetness.
How to Enjoy
Neat for the full smoke experience, or over one large rock — the ice softens the peat and opens up the sweeter notes. It's a natural for smoky cocktails: a smoky Old Fashioned, a Penicillin riff with ginger and lemon, or a simple smoky highball with soda and a lemon peel. A splash of water mellows the intensity if you want it gentler.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Double Black different from Johnnie Walker Black Label? Double Black uses more peated Islay and West Coast malts and is aged in heavily charred casks, making it smokier and more intense. It also carries no age statement, unlike Black Label's 12-year minimum.
Is Johnnie Walker Double Black heavily peated? It's peat-forward for a blend — noticeably smokier than Black Label, drawing on Islay malts — but smoother and more approachable than most Islay single malts.
What is the ABV of Johnnie Walker Double Black? It is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof), the same strength as Black Label.
When the smoke matters as much as the smoothness, reach for the bolder side of the icon — order Johnnie Walker Double Black online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
