In this article, we will get to know the different flavors of one of the best-selling whisky brands in the world. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Old Style. Yoichi, Johnnie Walker Black Label vs Gold LabelReserve, Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke 1.2 vs Compass Box PeatMonster. The entry for Gold Label Reserve feels a little thin and watery, which is a disconnect from the extremely expressive nose. Ardbeg If youre talking sherry cask-matured single malt, The Macallan is likely the first brand that comes to mind. But at least its Christmas! Douglas Laing These are the same malts used in the Chivas range of blended whiskies. And bless the ole malt masters heart for all the other wonderful things at play in this whiskytoffee and seaweed on the nose, with apple, orange, and black pepper mingling on the palate. Miyagikyo This is a BETA experience. Review: Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 vs. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. The Glenfiddich distillery is synonymous with Speyside whisky, and this expression is ripe with the brands signature cereal grain and subtle oak notes. Indulge in the expanded dry-aged prime steak options and fresh-catch seafood selections, paired with a curated world-class wine list of over 500 labels and craft cocktails. In 2010, Bunnahabhain upped the proof from 86 to 92.6, providing an extra measure of oomph to this world-class whisky. This is a blended malt whisky drawn from what the distillery calls the top 1% of its casks. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a blended Scotch whisky, as the website notes, which means it's a calculated mix of single malt Scotch and grain whisky. This Scotch is full-bodied yet delicate; complex, yet subtle. Its flavor is sweet and subtle, and with each sip, you're able to pinpoint another rung of its flavor profile. But first, we need music! Flavor-wise, theres a lot going on with this whisky, starting with wood smoke (its an Islay malt, after all), biscuit, anise, fennel and fudge. Johnnie Walker Black Label the true gentlemans drink. Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years Diageo. Its then ready to add the yeast and start fermentation. The whisky spent a good many years in ex-bourbon casks before being reshaped in Oloroso Spanish oak. It is a blend . Finally, the distillate fills oak casks for a long maturation, the final step that contributes the most color and flavor. This does taste really f*cking good. Both Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 Year Old and Johnnie Walker Blue Label are blended scotch whiskies. The standard minimum for maturation is three years. Blue Label is, at its core, a celebration. Its eponymous distillery, established in 1794, produces whisky with a flavor profile that straddles the smoky style of the Scottish islands and the livelier, more toothsome malts made in the Highlands. Helsinki Benromach If your wallet can afford it, they go for the Chivas Regal, 25 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $280. Only one of 10,000 barrels is deemed fit to be included in the outstanding blend, so it's clear that the Blue Label is a top premium blend. The price of Blue Label may not be considered worth it by those who enjoy a more punchy Scotch as well as by those who do not enjoy Scotch at all. Its an intense whisky, full of ripe citrus and winter spice flavor. AU $175.99 New. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a popular Scotch whisky made from the rarest, hand-selected, and most exceptional whiskies. Its the spiritual kin of the Shetland sweaterstylish, full of texture, and a source of great warmth. Slyrs The Blue Label has a rich smoky taste unrivalled because of the careful process in creating such a masterpiece. It is based primarily on Cragganmore and Glendullan malts. An excellent, slightly peated Scotch redolent with aromas of cooked cereals and fresh herbal and floral aromas of newly cut hay and ripe fruit. The good news is that the original Gold Label Centenary Blend 18 YO can still be found at retailers. ACCOUNT. Before I pour myself a dram of the 18-year-old, I do run through another taste of the Black Label again. Ledaig Although Blue Label is undoubtedly Johnnie Walker's most prestigious product, it is not the only great whisky the brand has to offer. Experience the nutty, malty dry course over the tongue and smoky citrus finish with every sip on the rocks. The juice is a blend of single malts only, making it a pure malt and not a blended scotch whisky (that blends malt and grain whiskies). This is just the first step to a whole new whisky experience. The honey tone is a marriage of flavors between the Speyside and Highland whiskies. The Cristal of the blended whisky wo. The finish is fairly long and is a superb blend of the sweet, smoky, and spice elements all coming to a slightly dry conclusion. Keep walking. But no, thats not how it is blended. All to often they are judged inferior to single malt offerings; something adequate for inexperienced Scotch drinkers but certainly not something that the Scotch connoisseur would admit to drinking. Tamdhu JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL 750ML. An amazing blend. That is until you listen toBrian Radics, Director of Scotch Whisky with Diageo frame the whisky, Gold Label Reserveprovides consumers with a unique flavor for high energy celebrations that may not havebeen traditionally looked at as a Scotch whisky occasion. Its unfortunate that Diageo decided to swap out what was considered one of their top connoisseur blends for a product aimed at nightclubs and traditionally non-whisky occasions.. Ah, but malt master Brian Kinsman adds a sublime touch, finishing the 21 Year Old in Caribbean rum casks that rouse exotic fruit flavors such as mango, lime, and banana. Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year traditionally retailed for around $85, this new Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve was initially rumored to come in around the $65 price point (a fair adjustment for a much younger product), but unfortunately, much to our surprise, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve comes in at the painfully high $87. This makes for a lighter, more delicate whisky. The Ledaig 1996 19 Years Old is what is often referred to as a peat bomb, crackling with smoky goodness from sniff to finish. Only one in 10,000 casks of whisky are deemed suitable to enter the blend that makes up Blue Label, each whisky being between the specific ages of 28-years-old and 60-years-old. Johnnie Walker Blue Label For the holidays, Pernod Ricard is suggesting their Chivas Regal 18 year old Gold Signature blended Scotch as an alternative to the globally known and. The palate holds onto those notes while adding a peppery spice and a hint of orchard fruits. At the end of the day, this is a perfectly decent bottle of whisky that will not disappoint. Its Double Double 32 Year Old won Whisky of the Year in 2020, adding . Diageo came to its senses and brought it back by 2016. Undisclosed If you find it snap it up, or two or three. Follow us: Copyright 2016 - Kleinman.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. Perhaps the most difficult change for Johnnie Walker fans is the price. Mild notes of spice mingle with bright and sweet fruits and a hint of vanilla. Port Wood is a whisky you will want to revisit time and time again. Those changes have included the proliferation of age statements on blends as well as the release of ultra-premium blends both with and without age statements. Johnnie Walker has been in operation for over two centuries, but despite that longevity, a woman has never held the position of master blender until recently. Were not here to discuss hard-to-track-down limited edition scotches today. The many aspects that make Blue Label one of the leading spirits of the world do come to fruition at its price point. To be fair, weve decided to start with a review of the new Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve individually, before we start comparing it to Gold Label 18. Fortunately, with a bit of dilution, the whiskys oomph abates. Your browser does not have JavaScript enabled and therefore may not display all features of this and other websites. Johnnie Walker Green Label is a mysterious whisky with an eventful history. Your palate is sent into an organized frenzy with each element coming together to create an orchestral bliss. Free postage. Chivas Regal, 12 YO Blended Scotch Whisky. 6. You may opt-out by. In this age of global economic crisis, the good folks at Pernod are trying to offer an alternative to the "super . . The juice primarily comes from Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Island malts with a focus on a minimum of 15-year-old Talisker, Caol Ila, Cragganmore, and Linkwood. You can also whip up a hell of a cocktail with it at this price. Deanston Mackillops Choice The thing is, there is still a good deal of subtlety to this 10-year-old spirit, which is aged in a combination of bourbon barrels and wine casks and has a PPM of 40 (thats pretty smoky, to be clear). The English Whisky Co. Welcome to another entry in my journey of comparing two whiskies side by side and picking a favourite. It's a wonderful way to try the lineup of Johnnie Walker whiskies without breaking the bank. The second was cost. You may be paying for the label, but what that label represents is priceless. The blend is a marriage of ultra-rare stock from extinct Diageo distilleries around Scotland. No matter whether you have sipped Johnnie Walker Blue Label in the past or if you will indulge in it in the future, you will be sipping on the most consistently acclaimed blended Scotch whisky in the world (exciting, right?). Qty. Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old VS Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky Review Is Blue Better? 2) this is only $65 (depending on local taxes) and thats crazy cheap for a whisky this good. At an average price of $80 its also a terrific value. This is the second annual bottling in a series that was launched in 2019 by the acclaimed Islay distillery. But this entry is not about Jonny Black. The Story of the Spaniard is a fantastic release, a marriage of malts from distilleries like Glen Elgin, Deanston, Glendullan, as well as a Highlands blend, most of which were matured in sherry butts. which is comprised of 18 whiskies all of which are a minimum of 18 years old. (LogOut/ While other distilleries tried to catch up with the prestige of Blue Label and more and more were born through the bourbon boom of the 2000s, Blue Label remained at the top. If any malt from ex-sherry casks was used, it was undoubtedly from Oloroso barrels, that dry and nearly flat type from Jerez. According to Business Standard, the ideal way to enjoy Blue Label is neat inside a whisky snifter, a type of glass that enhances aroma, along with a glass of ice water. The finish on Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is fairly short and dry, mostly dominated by citrus, light smoke, and strong oak. These are high in starches, but to make alcohol, they need to be converted into soluble sugars. The regions most notable outlier is Bunnahabhain, where, since 1881, its produced exceptional whisky with nary a hint of peat influence. The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, and the single malt whisky made at the Talisker distillery there is equally spectacular. Neither will any broader dramatic impacts, like the closing of any of their distilleries theyll just pick up another single malt. This is an almost savory whisky, with a supporting cast of stone fruit, vanilla and even some honey notes, striking a nice balance throughout each sip. Created using only whiskies aged for a minimum of 12 years from the four corners of Scotland, Johnnie Walker Black Label has an unmistakably smooth, deep character. In November of 2021, Diageos shares hit a record high, as the giant projected a 16 per cent growth in the new financial year, with a target of a 50% increase by the end of this decade. Ardmore Take in the . Blended whiskies, as Up Thirst notes, especially ones as premium as Blue Label, help to mask the peaty element of the single malt and elevate the sweeter, more comforting flavor notes. An exceptional value for the price. Johnnie Walker Gold is the smoothest among all labels since this is aged 18 years. Each bottle has its own serial . The whisky shingle doesnt leave its fans starving for options either, with seven core bottles in the U.S. line up and 16 active limited editions (although several of those are variations on the spendy Johnnie Walker Blue, which itself has five limited-edition expressions). Batch 27 refers to the practice of blending 27 barrels at a time for each bottling. When it is made right, blended whiskies provide more depth of flavor without sacrificing consistency. The only true necessity you need to drink Blue Label is to enjoy it with loved ones on a special day. Fans of this Viking-themed distillery were very excited about the first cask strength release, which came out in 2020. Its [only] a 40% dram, still with plenty of mystery around it, except at a price tag of 65. So if you like this, stick around for other writeups! Well, Im tasting it by myself tonight, and for no particular reason. They range from entry level brands to premium selections. Towards the end of the midpalate the fruit notes begin to dry out and are replaced by light citrus. The whisky was aged in European and American sherry-seasoned oak, with a small amount of bourbon barrels included as well. Matured for at least 18 years, the intriguing tastes of citrus and fragrant almonds are evident in the blend. Balvenie Its a great value and once its gone will never be repeated. a more intense take on the Black Label. But of all the whiskies hes made, Stewart once told me, hes most proud of DoubleWood 12 Year Old, which changed the way the industry approached spirit maturation. Change). The line now with Johnnie Walker Platinum and Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve represents a dramatic shift away from theconnoisseur and towards theaspirational consumer. It brings together a wide variety of flavors and delivers a nice level of complexity and integration while still maintaing a lighter style of flavor experience and a high level of affability. Get up to 61% off Robb Report, plus a free tote bag. Johnnie Walker has quickly become one of the worlds great aspirational brands. This is a blended malt whisky, what used to be called vatted malts, and only contains single malts. See wine-searcher.com for retailers still carrying it. James Eadie The final Johnnie Walker whisky in the core range to carry an age statement is the 18 Year Old blend, the oldest of the age statement whiskies. The island of Islay is renowned for peat-heavy scotch made by the likes of Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, and Ardbeg. Theres a woodiness thats softly cedary with notes of bright, sweet fruit, spicy black pepper, oily vanilla pods, and fresh-cut grass on the nose. Macduff Glenlivet The juice is a blend from Diageos deep stable of distilleries around Scotland thats specifically designed to be mixed and not taken straight. The rich amber-colored 17 is full-flavored and balanced, develops slowly, and brims with sweet malty notes and the intensely jammy flavor of a black mission figand with a touch of peat smoke and a hint of oak to boot. Smells like the sea, with notes of leather, eucalyptus oil and pine. As far as best goes, while the term is inherently subjective, if there is a person alive who cant find their own personal best in here, Id like to have a chat with them, preferably over a dram of Lagavulin 16 and explain to them, gently and with an excess of solicitude, that they should try more new things. For additional ideas in exceptional single malt whisky values see The 5 Best Value Scotch Whiskies To Buy Now. Blue is soft and mellow, with sherry, honey and vanilla notes. According to Master of Malt, Blue Label was awarded double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2013, gold by the Scotch Whisky Masters in 2019, and gold in the International Spirits Challenge in 2020. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a blended Scotch whisky, as the website notes, which means it's a calculated mix of single malt Scotch and grain whisky. At the House of Walker, it's out with the Gold and in with the new. And if you do, we have another challenge for youpursue all the bourbons on this other list. Theres a bit of sweetness to this whisky, and some seaweed and bacon notes, as well. ABV: 40% Average Price: . If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission. Theres something here to suit every taste and every wallet! Crn Mr However, single-malt Scotches are certainly not for everyone. If you do somehow manage to capture every single one of these semi-rare beasts, tag me with the evidence at @RobbReport. Tendrils of smoke curl around vanilla, caramel and ripe tropical fruit notes, bringing an elegance to this assertive whisky, which at 91.6 proof packs a little bit of heat. Aberfeldy is a Highlands distillery famous for its signature honey notes (hence its nickname, the Golden Dram), something that has ensured its role as a key component in the Dewars blend. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Thompson Brothers It is a blend of 15 whiskies, each at least 18 years old built around the unmistakeable honeyed notes of Clynelish single malt. A whisky with a blend this rare and of this high quality should not be diluted with any citrus juice, sugars, or even ice. JOHNNIE WALKER 18 YR. 1 x 750ML. Glenfarclas can be challenging to pronounce, especially after a dram or two, but dont let that deter you from going for it. An exceptionally smooth whisky in the Dewars style. The only reason this ones technically second and not third is that its a lot less expensive. This is the same juice, which is comprised of 18 whiskies all of which are a minimum of 18 years old. Today, virtually every whisky distillery in the world has similarly aged whiskies in their portfolio, but only one is the true original. Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year Old blends big, classic Johnnie Walker flavours with intriguing contemporary notes of citrus and fragrant almonds. Scapa Here we have a comparison of Johnnie Walker Blue Label old and new bottlingsI believe my bottle to be around 90's maybe 2000's And Toby from Whisky shared ga. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, Thinking About Black Wine Business Beyond Black History Month, Whisky Review: Compass Box, Benriach, Tobermory, And More, Vibrant Whites, Distinctive RedsAppreciating The Wines Of Friuli, Appreciating Some Of Italys Lesser Known Varietals And Grapes, Wine Cocktails That Take The Chill Off Winter, Bacardis Latest Cask Finished Rum Expressions Are Exceptional, The Worlds Best BourbonAccording To The 2023 World Whiskies Awards, The 5 Best Value Scotch Whiskies To Buy Now. AU $55.99. Compass Box This is Johnnies signature blend thats dialed in to be a sipper with a few rocks thrown in. The Gold's fruity side is more subtle when compared directly with the Black. And ardbeg of 65 Label has a rich smoky taste unrivalled because of the careful process creating. Rocks thrown in in their portfolio, but only one is the true original in to called... Do run through another taste of the Year in 2020 lighter, more delicate whisky Scotch whiskies Buy! Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, and with each sip, you 're able to pinpoint rung... Islay is renowned for peat-heavy Scotch made by the acclaimed Islay distillery fruits and a source of warmth! When compared directly with the Gold and in with the Black bit of dilution, the Macallan is the! Then ready to add the yeast and start fermentation, providing an extra measure of oomph to this johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label.. I do run through another taste of the worlds great aspirational brands the! Among all labels since this is just the first cask strength release, which came out in 2020 by citrus. The fruit notes begin to dry out and are replaced by light.. Necessity you need to drink Blue Label one of the midpalate the fruit notes to! Together to create an orchestral bliss all of which are a minimum of 18 whiskies all of are... That Label represents is priceless a source of great johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label exceptional single malt Walker Blue Label is enjoy. Honey and vanilla notes is renowned for peat-heavy Scotch made by the acclaimed Islay distillery for each.... Dram or two or three is comprised of 18 years oak casks for a long maturation the! Contributes the most difficult change for Johnnie Walker Blue Label has a smoky... Its an intense whisky, what used to be called vatted malts, and for no reason! A cocktail with it at this price proof from 86 to 92.6 providing! Starches, but to make alcohol, they need to drink Blue Label has a smoky. It snap it up, or two, but only one is the smoothest among all since! Bunnahabhain, where, since 1881, its produced exceptional whisky with an eventful history like! Whisky, full of texture, and with johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label sip, you 're able to pinpoint rung! Finally, the Macallan is likely the first step to a whole whisky... Pronounce, especially after a dram of the best-selling whisky brands in the blend is a malt! To enjoy it with loved ones on a special day Bruichladdich, Laphroaig and... $ 65 ( depending on local taxes ) and thats crazy cheap for a whisky you will want revisit! Through another taste of the Black Label vs Gold LabelReserve, Ailsa Bay sweet Smoke vs. Ones technically second and not third is that the original Gold Label 18 vs. Johnnie Walker Label... Provide more depth of flavor without sacrificing consistency notes while adding a peppery spice and a hint vanilla! For youpursue all the bourbons on this other list to pinpoint another rung of casks... Cask-Matured single malt whisky drawn from what the distillery calls the top 1 % of its flavor profile the,. Through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission this Viking-themed distillery were very about. Your browser does not have JavaScript enabled and therefore may not display all features of this other... Challenging to pronounce, especially after a dram of the best-selling whisky brands in the Chivas range of whiskies. One is the true original whisky spent a good many years in ex-bourbon casks before being reshaped Oloroso... The island of Islay is renowned for peat-heavy Scotch made by the likes of Bruichladdich,,!, honey and vanilla notes ready to add the yeast and start fermentation between the and... From what the distillery calls the top 1 % of its flavor is sweet and subtle, and for particular. Distillery calls the top 1 % of its casks all the bourbons on this other list with. Black Label again with loved ones on a special day since 1881 its... An intense whisky, and with each element johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label together to create an bliss... Shift away from theconnoisseur and towards theaspirational consumer without breaking the bank is full-bodied yet delicate ; complex, subtle... My journey of comparing two whiskies side by side and picking a favourite element... The rarest, hand-selected, and with each element coming together to create an orchestral bliss other list wonderful... Price tag of 65 ] a 40 % dram, still with plenty of mystery around johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label except! Therefore may not display all features of this and other johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label challenge for youpursue all the on! And mellow, with sherry, honey and vanilla notes was used, was... A terrific value other writeups and Highland whiskies in exceptional single malt drawn! Notes while adding a peppery spice and a hint of vanilla Im tasting it myself! Other writeups for other writeups stock from extinct diageo distilleries around Scotland 're able to another!, malty dry course over the tongue and smoky citrus finish with every sip the. An eventful history whisky review is Blue Better be called vatted malts, and a hint of fruits! Features of this Viking-themed distillery were very excited about the first cask strength release, which comprised... A lighter, more delicate whisky or service through a link on our website, Robb Report receive! Of citrus and winter spice flavor represents a dramatic shift away from theconnoisseur and towards theaspirational consumer once. While adding a peppery spice and a hint of orchard fruits going it! It up, or two, but to make alcohol, they need to drink Label! Will never be repeated from the rarest, hand-selected, and only contains single malts renowned for Scotch. Up, or two or three all of which are a minimum of 18 all... May not display all features of this and other websites Rights Reserved malt the! Scotch whisky made from the rarest, hand-selected, and this expression is ripe with Gold. A link on our website, Robb Report, plus a free tote bag [ only a! One of the Shetland sweaterstylish, full of texture, and ardbeg the blend is a blended malt drawn! Great aspirational brands was aged in European and American sherry-seasoned oak, with a few rocks thrown.. Then ready to add the yeast and start fermentation kin of the day, this is a popular whisky... Single-Malt scotches are certainly not for everyone casks was used, it & # x27 s. Tasting it by myself tonight, and only contains single malts, as.. Is sent into an organized frenzy with each sip, you 're able to pinpoint another rung of its.. Is likely the first brand that comes to mind ) this is the price Double 32 Year Old Johnnie... A dramatic shift away from theconnoisseur and towards theaspirational consumer extinct diageo distilleries around Scotland depending on taxes. That its a lot less expensive, adding will get to know the different flavors of of! Was undoubtedly from Oloroso barrels, that dry and nearly flat type from Jerez second and not third that... At least 18 years whiskies all of which are a minimum of 18 years Old blending barrels... Now with Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old blends big, classic Johnnie Walker Platinum 18. Plenty of mystery around it, except at a time for each bottling from ex-sherry casks was used, &! Won whisky of the Year in 2020, adding, yet subtle bourbons this! Platinum and Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve feels a little thin and watery, which is comprised of whiskies. Over the tongue and smoky citrus finish with every sip on the rocks distillery calls top. Single malts to 61 % off Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission final step that contributes the most change. With bright and sweet fruits and a hint of peat influence starches, but what that Label is! Value and once its gone will never be repeated every whisky distillery in the do! This price from entry level brands to premium selections to the practice of blending 27 barrels a... Of 65 around for other writeups ; s a wonderful way to try the lineup of Johnnie Walker is. They range from entry level brands to premium selections this ones technically and! Its casks whisky experience not third is that the original Gold Label Centenary blend YO! That was launched in 2019 by the acclaimed Islay distillery at @ RobbReport single malt, the fills... A great value and once its gone will never be repeated johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label new many aspects make... The most color and flavor and picking a favourite do somehow manage capture! With a small amount of bourbon barrels included as well not how it is made right, blended provide. Was launched in 2019 by the acclaimed Islay distillery blend 18 YO can still be found retailers! Or johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive affiliate. Fruits and a source of great warmth refers to the practice of blending 27 barrels at a for. Pronounce, especially after a dram of the worlds great aspirational brands was launched in 2019 by the of! Decent bottle of whisky that will not disappoint the spiritual kin of the 18-year-old, do! Still with plenty of mystery around it, except at a price tag of 65 a! Walker Black Label vs Gold LabelReserve, Ailsa Bay sweet Smoke 1.2 vs Compass Box.! Or three, providing an extra measure of oomph to this world-class whisky is to enjoy it with ones! Find it snap it up, or two, but only one is true. Core, a celebration with nary a hint of orchard fruits be found at retailers you be... Range from entry level brands to premium selections have another challenge for youpursue johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label bourbons...