Johnnie Walker Black vs Dewar's 12 yr.

[The Boozer]

JWB's malt is primarily Caol Ila & Talisker whereas Dewer's 12 yr is mostly Speyside single malts ( Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, plus some others.) Very little or none of the Islay in Dewer's.
Like them both, depends of the mood.

[AVB]

I think you mean Cardhu and Talisker. There isn't that much bite in JWB to have two Islay style malts as the primary ingredients.

JWB's malt is primarily Caol Ila & Talisker whereas Dewer's 12 yr is mostly Speyside single malts ( Glenlivet or Glenfiddich, plus some others.) Very little or none of the Islay in Dewer's.
Like them both, depends of the mood.

[Josh]

Talisker isn't an Islay is it? I think it's made on the Isle of Skye.

I've been exploring Scotch blends today (well two of them anyway) and I just finished a Chivas Regal and ordered at JWB. The Chivas was fine, lots of caramel, but this JWB is different kettle of fish altogether. The nose has an odd (to me) fruity, honey note, but the island character really comes through in the finish with a nice hit of brine and peat.

[smokinjoe]

I think you mean Cardhu and Talisker. There isn't that much bite in JWB to have two Islay style malts as the primary ingredients.

Knowing that you've probably forgotten more than I'll ever know about the subject, still, I'm itching to add to the discussion. I attended a very well done presentation/tasting by JWB 7-8yrs ago. They poured Cardhu, Talisker, Lagavulin, and Oban as precursors to the JW Black. The explanation was that these were the "primary?, main?, something-like-that" malts in JWBlack.
JWB is my fave blend.

[AVB]

Talisker is made on Skye but it is an Islay style.

Many malts go into JWB but from what I have been told Cardhu and Talisker were the main two. I can see having others of the same style so that if one happens to be in short supply you can increase another and still have the blend fairly close to what it was. I was just disagreeing that Caol Ila was a "main" component.

[The Boozer]

I think you mean Cardhu and Talisker. There isn't that much bite in JWB to have two Islay style malts as the primary ingredients.

I heard from one source it was Coal Ila and then read somewhere it was Cardhu. Coin flip. Also read that there are some 3 dozen different single malts that go into JWB so it is unlikely that any distinct flavor from any single malt is going to stand out.