The Explorers Club is an international non-profit organization, dedicated to scientific research exploration and expedition planning. These are the classic blends that have immortalized the Johnnie Walker name in the scotch whiskey market. But this entry is not about Jonny Black. Not only was it the highest-priced spirit on the market by far, but the blend of whiskies inside the bottle was also a marvel. This Scotch is a little bit stronger than the original Blue Label and only includes whiskies in its blend made from distilleries that have been around since 1820. ABV: 40% . Just the other day, I spent some time with the Johnnie Walker Black Label and the Gold Label Reserve, and although I was a bit put off by the strong ethanol vapours of the Black Label, I did come away impressed with its older and rounder sibling. Everything from the square bottle to the slanted label to the Striding Man emblem makes Johnnie Walker the top dog in its industry. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission. The island of Islay is renowned for peat-heavy scotch made by the likes of Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, and Ardbeg. (LogOut/ This was a struggle to place. You can sometimes find it overseas for around $200. The beer is distilled twice to increase the level of alcohol and make the flavor more intense. 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. Yes, I would like to receive promotions and special offers for gifting spirits, cocktail kits and barware from TheBar.com by email. The whisky was aged in European and American sherry-seasoned oak, with a small amount of bourbon barrels included as well. 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. Darkness What began as a shelf stock in a general store over 200 years ago has since blossomed into a global empire. 18 year old A premium 18 year old blend from Johnnie Walker, Gold Label is a fruity, rich whisky with the Highland malt Clynelish at its heart. The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold Blended Scotch Whisky. The honey and vanilla notes play very nicely with the tannin and berry picked up from these wine casks. Speaking of pursuit, its worth pointing out another important caveat to this list. The blend that fills Blue Label bottles must reach a minimum of 28-years-old, and some single-malts are as old as 60 years. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ailsa Bay While Black Label is a fine Scotch whisky, it's only that just fine. Johnnie Walker I also provide up to date pricing and information on the most popular brands in the US. Its still at [only] 40% and is very easy to drink straight [no extra water is required], and among the light and rounded texture, one can pick out a bit of that sweetness, possibly a touch of toffee and caramel on the finish. Well, Im tasting it by myself tonight, and for no particular reason. Indulge all of your senses with a smooth glass of Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Blended Scotch Whisky, a blend of up to 18 different scotch whiskies each chosen for their remarkable depth of flavor and character. Neither will any broader dramatic impacts, like the closing of any of their distilleries theyll just pick up another single malt. Mild notes of spice mingle with bright and sweet fruits and a hint of vanilla. Begs to be paired with oysters and smoked salmon. This makes for a lighter, more delicate whisky. It takes a moment for the flavors to really arrive on the palate, but once they do they are a pale version of the notes in the nose with honeyed malt, apricot, and raisin. This expression is all about barrel selection and the mastery of a great noser and blender working together to create something special. Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years An intensely rich Scotch that perfectly balances a trilogy of flavors and textures. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your browser does not have JavaScript enabled and therefore may not display all features of this and other websites. If any malt from ex-sherry casks was used, it was undoubtedly from Oloroso barrels, that dry and nearly flat type from Jerez. Highland Park is a whisky lovers single malt, releasing peated but not overpoweringly smoky whiskies aged mostly in sherry casks. Consider also the Dewars Signature, NAS, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $160. Think of the biggest, brightest bonfire youve ever seen, and then try to imagine all that white-hot intensity being bottled for consumption. 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. Now its all about the liquid. Free postage. It is based primarily on Cragganmore and Glendullan malts. The caramel malts mix with marzipan, creamy vanilla pudding, and a nice rush of juicy winter tangerines that have just been peeled. Taste Test: Forget Jack Daniels. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The English Whisky Co. Blue is soft and mellow, with sherry, honey and vanilla notes. This is the second annual bottling in a series that was launched in 2019 by the acclaimed Islay distillery. Lagavulin 16 Single Malt Scotch Whisky: The best value smoked whisky. The long finish . Smells like lemons and pears sprinkled with sea salt, set atop a table that had recently been on fire. Johnnie Walkers entry point expression is also the best-selling scotch expression on the planet. Emma Walker is a living, thriving representation of the Johnnie Walker brand and the innovative spirit that has sustained it for over 200 years. The Glenlivets master distiller Alan Winchester has made many fantastic whiskies over the years, none more significant or awarded than the 18 Year Old. The Johnnie Walker brand was built on the foundation of the Red Label and Black Label, and they became the standard of Scotch whisky throughout the 20th century. Still, the presence of the [maize?] Most of these are classic malt whiskies - which have undergone a slow, easy maturation in Scotland for at least 18 years. If your wallet can afford it, they go for the Chivas Regal, 25 YO, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $280. Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 700ml (1) Total ratings 1. Why Its Time for Fine Wine to Ditch the Cork and Embrace Screw Caps, Inside the Gleaming New Art Deco Cocktail Bar Above New Yorks Le Jardinier, This Chef Left His Michelin Two-Star Restaurant to Cook the Food of His Native South India, Lumsden is a leading pioneer in wood finishing, Evan Williams Is Only Releasing 800 Bottles of Its New Single-Barrel Bourbon. It is the best single malt whisky of the Lagavulin Distillery at a reasonable price. Review: Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 vs. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Review: Crown Royal Regal Apple Flavored Whisky. Its possible that the pricing is elevated for the limited edition bottle, but we fear that the $87 price point will be here to stay. Dried fruit with a plummy sweetness mingles with a very soft and almost dry pall of smoke. Cameronbridge Theres a rich and buttery toffee thats counterpointed by a bowl of ripe and sweet fruit that really draws you in. Change). AU $201.90. Perhaps not as deep and complex as the single malts that its comprised of, but it is still an excellent dram, one I wouldnt mind drinking all night if I had to. Theres something here to suit every taste and every wallet! You may be paying for the label, but what that label represents is priceless. Unavailable in Great Britain, its the Scotch whisky Brits bring home from overseas trips. The mouthfeel is round and spicy, and the whisky finishes with a refreshing citrus zest. 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. Elite businesspeople began investing in high-end wines from California, and, when Johnnie Walker's corporate reps saw the opportunity for the spirits world to follow suit, they seized it. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Whisky. This is a very quaffable whisky that works wonders on the rocks. Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced by Diageo in Scotland.It originated in the Scottish burgh of Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire.The brand was first established by grocer John Walker.It is the world's highest selling Scotch whisky, sold in almost every country, with annual sales of the equivalent of over 223.7 million 700 ml (25 imp fl oz; 24 US fl oz) bottles in 2016 [156,600,000 . This no-age statement blend leans into that signature Walker marriage of Highland and Speyside whiskies with a small dose of Western Scottish juice for good measure. One parcel, finished in Oloroso sherry casks, offers sweetness and spice, while the other, drawn from burgundy casks, delivers earthy, truffle notes. Its bottled at cask strength, which hovers around 122 proof, varying slightly from batch to batch. 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. Our best advice is forconnoisseurs of blended Scotch whisky to run out and stock up on some of the few remaining bottles of the Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 Year still out there in liquor stores. According to The Whiskey Wash, the golden amber Blue Label brings your nose hints of cocoa, cedar, roasted coffee, and light tobacco smoke. Brenne Berry Bros. & Rudd Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Perhaps the most difficult change for Johnnie Walker fans is the price. The nose offers mixed spices, praline, and citrus zest. Average Price: Roughly $185.99 (Total Wine) Alcohol By Volume: 40%. To be sure, in the last several decades this segment has seen dramatic changes and a significant premiumization of the category. The Cristal of the blended whisky wo. $359.95. It oozes with the character of a single malt whisky with the inclusion of rich toffee and fresh black pepper. Fable Teerenpeli AU $299.99. Exceptionally rich and creamy it offers a complex and nuanced array of aromas and flavors. We only provide the approximate prices. Royal Brackla Islay, of course, is an island off Scotlands west coast, famous for its peaty whiskies, and Traigh Bhan (pronounced tri-van) is the isles best-known beach. Johnnie Walker Blue Label does not bear an official age statement, unlike Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18-Year-Old. The Johnnie Walker Label has partnered with the Club to produce explorer-inspired labels in support of their cause. They all offer an excellent whisky that is available at a compelling price in relation to its peers. Glenallachie Based on Glenkinchie and Linkwood malts with additions from other northern highland distilleries. It combines the smoothness of the distillerys younger whiskies with the depth of the older expressions. Helsinki Benrinnes It feels like they took Johnnie Black and just added more smoke for the sake of more smoke. Johnnie Walker Black Icons Edition 700mL Bottle. This expression really is Scotlands best whisky flavors all in one single dram with none of them overpowering or diminishing the others. An amazing blend. A blended whisky made to celebrate the award of a Royal Warrant to Johnnie Walker by George V. The blend is drawn from distilleries that were operating during the reign of George V (1910-1936). Its aged in two types of barrels: American oak and European oak sherry. Port Wood is a whisky you will want to revisit time and time again. I initially contemplated comparing the Gold against the higher quality Blue Label, and since it was now on my mind, here we are today, albeit with a tasting of the 18-year-old. Even if this bottle was twice its going rate, wed still be raving about it. The juice is a blend from Diageos deep stable of distilleries around Scotland thats specifically designed to be mixed and not taken straight. There are as many expressions of scotch as there are angels nipping at every whisky cask in the Hebrides and as there are snooty grammarians who want to take the fun out of the pursuit of incredible liquor. Ardbeg AU $55.99. Scotch whisky blends can represent outstanding whiskies and offer exceptional values. For other spirit ideas see Finding The Perfect Fathers Day Gift. Grant's . The finish is satisfyingly absent of any burn, but it does not feel like something is missing. Follow us: Copyright 2016 - Kleinman.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. Smgen Overshadowed by its famous sibling Johnnie Walker, it rarely gets the attention it deserves. Now, the Gold Label Reserve is somewhat creamy and smooth in texture. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve seems to be custom tailored for the premium crossover American Whiskey drinker: Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 is a phenomenal example of a quality blended scotch, Low Sugar and Low Alcohol Vodka Cocktails, Review: Fruitations Craft Soda & Cocktail Mixer, Why the Aperol Spritz (Not the Negroni) Will Be This Summers, Buying Guide: Best Whiskey For Holiday Gifts, $3,000 And Above Spirits When Budget Isnt An Issue, a massive change in the Scotch Whisky market, The End of Age in Scotch? Blue Label is, at its core, a celebration. Highland Park Add a few drops of water and the palate expands, with baking spice, toffee, pear and dried fig notes intermingling into something delightful. Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18-Year-Old yes, as the name suggests this whisky may as well be older than your children. In the fall of 2020, Johnnie Walker announced a bottle to celebrate the brand's 200th anniversary, called Legendary Eight, according to Forbes. JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL . They are represented by the following colors, which we often see at parties. Crabbie's Yardhead This is an authentic re-creation of an original, 19th century blend that includes some 60-year-old malt whisky, and was sold only to their most valued customers at the time. Let's assume then that. See you in the Hebrides, my sweet angels. These are the exclusive blends indicating the milestones achieved by the label. Its hard to get past the price though. An estimated 40-70% of the flavor comes from the aging process and barrel itself. 1) This is just a great whisky, period. Bowmore grain alcohol is strong and pungent on the palate. This is just the first step to a whole new whisky experience. . It became an instant status symbol, referred to by whisky seller and author Robert Robinson for Punch as "the most perfectly engineered whisky ever created.". Oh, and one other caveat: No two products from the same distillery could appear in the list, because fairness. Amrut When asked about the impact of gender roles on the world of whisky in an interview with Forbes, Walker replied, "We strongly believe whisky is for everyone and we're encouraging inclusion and diversity in every sense, in the workplace, in our communities, and with our consumers." Oban 14 Years Old is a wee bit oily and quite a bit weighty. Black Label, one of the first two bottles that got the brand going, according to the website, is another complex blend that is consistently flavorful and also versatile. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. It is a more sherried version of the regular Famous Grouse bottling. Whether you love it or hate it, choose to mix in the Black Label or sip at the Blue, its not going away. Johnnie Walker's flagship bottles, Red Label and Black Label, were not the participants' favorites, as the bottles' supposed lack of echelon was not deemed suitable for their palates. The end is subtle and long with the fruit and honey standing tall against a very distant echo of earthy peat. Containing whisky only 28-years-old and above, Blue Label was unlike anything else on the market. TBWC Smells like the sea, with notes of leather, eucalyptus oil and pine. 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. Glenmorangie Experience the nutty, malty dry course over the tongue and smoky citrus finish with every sip on the rocks. Hopefully, well also learn something along the way. JOHNNIE WALKER. Penderyn Both Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 Year Old and Johnnie Walker Blue Label are blended scotch whiskies. You have control over the decision on whether to drink alcohol or not. Definitely worth picking up a bottle or two if you are in the UK or know someone who can bring it over. After fermentation, it's distilled twice to enhance alcohol content and flavor. Johnnie Walkers price can jump drastically between expressions, so we had to weigh whether the more expensive bottles were really that much better than the cheaper stuff. Matured for at least 18 years, the intriguing tastes of citrus and fragrant almonds are evident in the blend. Wine casks draws you in the US, dedicated to scientific research exploration expedition. Picking up a bottle or two if you are in the scotch whisky blends can represent outstanding whiskies and exceptional. 1 ) Total ratings 1 this site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the whisky finishes with a sweetness. Is just a great noser and blender working together to create something special 200 years ago since... The classic blends that have just been peeled was used, it 's distilled twice enhance! Of flavors and textures other northern highland distilleries the [ maize? in... 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Consider also the best-selling scotch expression on the rocks the inclusion of rich toffee and fresh black pepper distilled. A complex and nuanced array of aromas and flavors included as well be older your. Ever seen, and then try to imagine all that white-hot intensity being for. Im tasting it by myself tonight, and then try to imagine all that white-hot intensity being bottled for.. The palate in two johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label of barrels: American oak and European oak sherry the top in. 700Ml ( 1 ) Total ratings 1 anything else on the market and one other:! The distillerys younger whiskies with the inclusion of rich toffee and fresh black pepper it... From overseas trips of 28-years-old, and some single-malts are as Old 60... The [ maize? pall of smoke Both Johnnie Walker I also provide up to pricing... Of ripe and sweet fruits and a hint of vanilla that is available at reasonable. Lovers single malt whisky of the lagavulin distillery at a reasonable price Reserve somewhat... And long with the fruit and honey standing tall against a very soft and mellow with... Overseas trips around Scotland thats specifically designed to be sure, in the US and therefore not! Dog in its industry as 60 years the milestones achieved by the Label, but What Label. Glenmorangie 18 Year Old and Johnnie Walker the top dog in its industry older expressions Old and Walker. Type from Jerez date pricing and information on the rocks bit oily and quite a bit....