John Barr Black Reserve Blend, Blended Scotch Whisky, Vol. 40%, 1L

this john bar scotch was someting i tried a long time ago. It had a gold and black slanted label then, and a clear glass bottle that showed its golden color. Trying this again after really leaning toward johnny walker and genlevitts has really suprised me. I thought i was younger and there is no way for the price john bar is as good as i remember. It was, this scotch has just a hint of smoke but nowhere near johhny walker blue label which in my opinion has too much smokey flavor. This bottle is my go to instead of 12 year scotch that is expensive.

A FINE SURPRISE!

JOHN BARR BLENDED SCOTCHNever heard of it, ran across it googling "Blended Scotch Total Wine," surprised by high ratings and low price, saw it in the store, why not? If it's not that great it'll be good for Bloody Mary's and egg nogs.Took a sip. What? This tastes like Dewars 18! Had a bottle on the shelf, so, side by side, the Dewars is slightly deeper, richer, smokier, but only slightly, they're nearly identical twins. This'll be my go to now, recommended to anyone, everyone. I like Johnny High Rye, so I mixed 1/2 and 1/2 John Barr with Pendleton 1910 Rye just to see what would happen, even better than Johnny! Excellent neat, it doesn't need ice, water, soda, or any other contaminants! As good as anything I can think of for less than five times the price.

A Most Excellent Blended Scotch Whisky

John Barr Reserve Blend is clear gold. The aroma is of faint, sweet grains. The flavor, however, presents some smokey malt and sweet, sugary grain. The body is medium, and J.B.R.B. finishes fairly short. It is nice and mild.RJT

An Excellent Blended Scotch Whisky

John Barr Reserve Blend is clear gold. The aroma is of faint, sweet grains. The flavor, however, presents some smokey malt and sweet, sugary grain. The body is medium, and J.B.R.B. finishes fairly short. It is nice and mild. RJT

Equal to JW Black!

I've been a JW Black customer for 25 years. Found this scotch by accident while visiting in CA. 95% = to Johnny Black. In my area (Chicago burbs) Johnny Black is $65 / 1.75. Yikes. I don't have Total Wine here, but my local store can special order in for $40 / 1.75. LOVE IT!! I have a place in MB, SC and I get my Total Wine fix there:)

Good Substitute for Teachers

I think BoilerB's review is spot on. My reaction to it was nearly identical, drawing comparisons to JW Red and JW Black. It is better than JW Red but not quite as nuanced as JW Black. However, for the price, you are getting quite a bargain on a blended scotch where the peat complements rather than overpowers. Since Teachers is no longer available, I've been trying to find a decent substitute. This one works well as a daily sipper - especially for the price. JW Black is too expensive for a daily sipper. I tried the Famous Grouse Smoky Black a few times (as I had not yet come across John Barr). The Grouse has a strange lingering sweetness (like maple syrup) that I do not care for, and it masks the peat almost completely. John Barr is much better, and better priced ... MoreI think BoilerB's review is spot on. My reaction to it was nearly identical, drawing comparisons to JW Red and JW Black. It is better than JW Red but not quite as nuanced as JW Black. However, for the price, you are getting quite a bargain on a blended scotch where the peat complements rather than overpowers. Since Teachers is no longer available, I've been trying to find a decent substitute. This one works well as a daily sipper - especially for the price. JW Black is too expensive for a daily sipper. I tried the Famous Grouse Smoky Black a few times (as I had not yet come across John Barr). The Grouse has a strange lingering sweetness (like maple syrup) that I do not care for, and it masks the peat almost completely. John Barr is much better, and better priced than the Grouse in my opinion. The Shieldaig Islay Single Malt is good if you like strong peated scotch. Too bad Total Wine raised the price on it.

Simple But Quite Pleasant

First of all, contrary to other claims, this is in no way, shape or form an analog for Johnnie Walker Black. Diagio has a vast catalog of whiskies and JW Black contains as many as 60+ whiskies at any given time to achieve a consistent blend.John Barr Reserve Blend is much more simplistic and its faults are errors of omission rather than commission. If you are looking for complex, this isn't it. It is, however, a very pleasant whisky that successfully marries malt and grain. It has a heavily sherry-finished focus. There is a touch of peat (especially with afresh bottle) that diminished as the spirit oxidizes. Contrary to TW's description, the distiller does not mention Islay in their description of the blend. If anything, it is a Highland style peat -- and it is ... MoreFirst of all, contrary to other claims, this is in no way, shape or form an analog for Johnnie Walker Black. Diagio has a vast catalog of whiskies and JW Black contains as many as 60+ whiskies at any given time to achieve a consistent blend.John Barr Reserve Blend is much more simplistic and its faults are errors of omission rather than commission. If you are looking for complex, this isn't it. It is, however, a very pleasant whisky that successfully marries malt and grain. It has a heavily sherry-finished focus. There is a touch of peat (especially with afresh bottle) that diminished as the spirit oxidizes. Contrary to TW's description, the distiller does not mention Islay in their description of the blend. If anything, it is a Highland style peat -- and it is not prominent. Again, the sherry-finish prevails so do not expect the fruity nuances of a Speyside.Tonight I went to John Barr after a couple of drams of Johnnie Walker Green Label (which needs a re-review - this bottle was flat out delicious). While clearly a more simple, predominantly one-note product it did not disappoint. No off tastes whatsoever and meaty enough even though a blend. I usually complain about low ABV, but 40% seems just right for this one.Quaffable and a very good value for me.

Tastes like a blend of JW Red and Black!

While I appreciate sipping high quality single malts and malt blends neat, my regular drink is scotch & soda ... but lighter on the ice and soda than most, with about 2 parts scotch to 1 part soda and 1 part ice. This mix is refreshing while still allowing the taste of the scotch to dominate. So, a good quality blend is required. For years, my go to was JW Red, until a friend got me to try Dewars White Label, and I switched because I preferred the slightly less peated Dewars. But more recently it seems Dewars WL has become more bland, and I saw that John Barr is rated well, so I decided to try it. It reminds me a better version of JW Red. John Barr is at least as peaty, or smoking, as JW Red, but it seems the peat complements, rather than overpowers, the other ... MoreWhile I appreciate sipping high quality single malts and malt blends neat, my regular drink is scotch & soda ... but lighter on the ice and soda than most, with about 2 parts scotch to 1 part soda and 1 part ice. This mix is refreshing while still allowing the taste of the scotch to dominate. So, a good quality blend is required. For years, my go to was JW Red, until a friend got me to try Dewars White Label, and I switched because I preferred the slightly less peated Dewars. But more recently it seems Dewars WL has become more bland, and I saw that John Barr is rated well, so I decided to try it. It reminds me a better version of JW Red. John Barr is at least as peaty, or smoking, as JW Red, but it seems the peat complements, rather than overpowers, the other flavors in John Barr. I can see why some buy it as a more economical version of JW Black. It is very close, but I'd say JW Black has a few more complex floral notes that most JW Black drinkers would miss in John Barr.

This is a scotch hard to love

I did not enjoy this scotch, and frankly the good reviews here puzzle me. Best review I can give is “it is better than no scotch”.The bottle I had was two predominant notes: harshly smoked peat and grain alcohol. I don’t doubt there is a single malt in there, but it is stretched mighty thin. If you mentally subtract the smoke and the grain, you are left with a thin brittle scotch. You optimistically confuse the flavor for brightness at first and then any pretense of charm disappears on the second sip.This is advertised as speyside and highland, but tastes like all highlands, and not particularly well done.Is it horrible? No. Can you complain at this price point? No, but there are also much better choices at this cost.

Very Smooth

Very smooth with the slightest hint of butterscotch on the tongue. Brought back memories of my grandparents when they gave me butterscotch candies when I was a kid. This was a pleasant find. And just FYI, my goto is JW Blue.