Johnnie Walker Swing was invented in 1932 specifically for the trans-oceanic trade. The convex bottom causes it to rock back and forth along with the wave action on a ship. Because humans notice movement this caused it to become more popular at the bars on board. A neat marketing trick. Up to 35 whiskies are used in the creation of Swing, mostly highland malts with a good portion of them stored in sherry casks although you can tell there is some Islay and northern highland whisky in there too.
As you can see it is a dark golden brown color in the bottle and lightens up to a dark straw colored gold in the glass. Nosing reveals a sherry sweetness along with some smoke and peat. There is an orangy note way down there too that comes out a bit more if you let your glass sit for a few minutes. First tasting starts out sweet and then the spiciness kicks in at mid tongue and after that you can notice the smoke and peat. I don't think all the spiciness is from single malts as it seems to me that some of the grain whisky is causing it too. Sort of like a higher rye in the mash of bourbon will make it seem spicier. The finish is medium-long in length and consists mostly of smoke and spice that even after detectable flavors fade out seems to linger on for some time.
At $30 I'd buy this over Johnnie Walker Black 9 times out of 10 but at $60 I'll take Johnnie Walker Green any day. Buy it if you want something a bit unusual but you really don't need to track one down.
Edited by AVB, 27 June 2007 - 11:00 PM.
