Johnnie Walker Labels Explained
Johnnie Walker is whisky recognised around the globe. In fact, it’s a global icon and is literally the best-selling Scotch on the planet. Each year, more than 22 million cases of this fab whisky are sold all over the globe, and as the brand continues to evolve and innovate, that number only looks set to increase.
We’ve all seen the iconic striding man emblazoned proudly on the label of your favourite Johnnie Walker whisky, but what about the different coloured labels found on different bottles of this fantastic tipple? Are they just there to add a splash of colour, or is there more to it?
Speak to any Johnnie Walker drinker, and they’ll each have their own favourite label. Whether it’s red, black, green, or blue for those with expensive tastes, each label tells its own story, and represents its very own unique whisky.
For today’s post, I thought I’d talk you through the different Johnnie Walker labels, and what each one represents.
Kicking things off today, we’ll begin by looking at Johnnie Walker’s most popular label.
Johnnie Walker Red Label is literally the best-selling blended scotch whisky on the planet, so you can see just how popular this dram really is.
While many consider this a cheap and cheerful whisky, it’s certainly a cut above some of the average budget ranges you’ll find out there, and it has the awards to prove it.
Renowned for its bold and complex character, this NAS (no age statement) whisky was first introduced in 1909. For those who enjoy a blended Scotch, this whisky should tick all the boxes.
Heavy on notes such as cinnamon, clove, and toffee, with a hint of smokiness, it works great neat, as well as in a cocktail. It goes particularly well with ginger ale.
Johnnie Walker Black Label is another firm favourite amongst Johnnie Walker fans, offering something a little more complex than the Red.
Originally launched way back in 1865, under the name ‘Extra Special Old Highland Whisky’, it was renamed in 1909 and provides the perfect blend of sweet, smoky, and spicy. It’s rich, complex, sophisticated, and is dangerously moreish.
I’ve tried my fair share of 12 year old whiskies over the years, and Johnnie Walker Black is up there amongst the best. Expect creamy toffee notes, a hint of sweet mesquite BBQ smoke, and peppery, okay undertones.
Whereas Johnnie Walker Black Label has been around for more than a century, by comparison the Double Black Label is still an infant. It may be the younger sibling of the Black Label, but it’s clearly the more rebellious.
Johnnie Walker Double Black Label is another NAS whisky which was first released in 2011. It takes the boldness and complexities of the Black Label, and turns the volume up several notches, amplifying the smokier notes. This is largely due to peated Islay whiskies found in the blend, particularly Caol Ila, as well as heavily charred casks.
The end result is whisky with heavier notes of peat smoke, balanced beautifully by sweeter notes of honey and toffee, with more than a suggestion of peppery spiciness.
While Johnnie Walker Green Label may be one of the lesser-known whiskies from their Core Range, that doesn’t make it any less special. In fact, it’s arguably the most unique of this entire range.
Johnnie Walker Green Label is still a blended Scotch, but is the only of its kind to be made exclusively of single malt whiskies. Furthermore, to provide complexity and balance in equal measure, the single malts used in this blend come from four of Scotland’s major whisky regions.
Combining 15-year-old whiskies from Caol Ila, Cragganmore, Talisker, and Linkwood in perfect harmony. This 15-year-old dram may not be as mainstream as some of the others in the range, but don’t let that fool you, the demand is still there. So much so, that when Johnnie Walker pulled this label from production as part of a ‘reshuffle’ in 2012 there was a huge outcry. Fans of the dram were not happy, and they let their feelings be known. So strongly in fact, that it made a triumphant return in 2016.
Expect earthy, woody, smoky, spicy notes to dominate this dram, with just the right balance of sweetness and fruitiness to tie everything together perfectly. Many consider this the unsung hero of the entire range, yet for some reason it just doesn’t seem to enjoy as much love or attention as say, the Red or Black Label.
Now things are really starting to get lavish and decadent, and when you think of affordable luxury blends, you’d struggle to do better than Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. Originally pitched as a celebratory whisky to enjoy on special occasions, this 18-year-old whisky has gained quite the following over the years.
Gold Label Reserve replaced Johnnie Walker’s original Gold Label 18 Year Old, which was retired back in 2012, again as part of their reshuffling. This replacement however, proved to be a huge hit, and has since picked up numerous rewards and accolades as a result.
Made from a vibrant and rich selection of whiskies, including Clynelish, this non-age-stated whisky provides heavy notes of toffee and honey, with smooth and creamy hints of fruity vanilla begging to be discovered. There is also a faint sprinkling of smoke, for added richness and boldness.
Formerly known as their ‘Platinum Label’ this whisky was launched in 2011, and renamed in 2017, where it was simply known as ‘Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old’.
Blending a selection of 18-year-old whiskies from across Scotland, this is a whisky for those with mature and sophisticated palates, who enjoy the classic tastes of Johnnie Walker, with a little something more.
Combining blends from Blair Athol, Glen Elgin, Cardhu, and hints of smoky Islay expressions, it’s smooth, fruity, sweet, and slightly smoky. While it has been described, somewhat contradictory, as ‘rough and smooth’ we prefer to describe it as it is, which is an exceptionally great dram, with a fairly affordable price tag to match.
For those with expensive tastes, who enjoy the more lavish of life’s pleasures, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the pinnacle of excellence (try and say that after a few doubles).
Their most expensive label, Blue Label is made from a selection of very rare casks, including ones found in silent and ‘ghost’ distilleries which are no longer in operation. This may be a NAS whisky aged for a minimum of 3 years, but there have been reports of it containing whiskies as old as 60!
So rare are some of the drams used in this whisky, that Johnnie Walker only deem 1 in every 10,000 casks suitable for the Blue Label of approval.
Each bottle of this whisky is numbered individually to give it that special feeling. Providing fantastic mouthfeel, body, complexity, and amazing flavour, Blue Label really is synonymous with prestige and decadence.
Expect notes of dark chocolate, dried figs, honey, mixed fruits, and light cedar smoke. There’s a distinctly citrussy finish here, lingering in the background, coupled with gentle spice. This is the type of dram you’d expect to enjoy in a library, sat on a leather chesterfield next to a roaring fire.
If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at what we have to offer.
With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.
Greg
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