It is the standard while Blue Label is the pinnacle. Caol Ila While its not that much more expensive than standard Johnnie Black, we cant say its that much better, either. WhisttlePig The finish is fairly long and is a superb blend of the sweet, smoky, and spice elements all coming to a slightly dry conclusion. JOHNNIE WALKER 18 YR. 1 x 750ML. ABV: 40% . Elixir Distillers Johnnie Walkers entry point expression is also the best-selling scotch expression on the planet. Free postage. The Blue doesn't come with an age specification but the Black is a blend of 12-year-old malts, the Green 15's, and the Gold seems to be bottled as either 15 or 18. 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.. This does taste really f*cking good. The only true necessity you need to drink Blue Label is to enjoy it with loved ones on a special day. So lets get on with the taste. Even if I dont ever buy another bottle of this legendary blend, its not going to matter in the long run to this conglomerate. See also UK based mail order vendors like The Whiskey Exchange or Master of Malt, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Centenary 18 YO Blended Scotch Whisky. Tastes like dried figs dipped in honey up front, followed by some oak and malt dryness. TBWC In many countries it has outpaced the indigenous spirit, a feat considered nearly impossible just a decade ago. If thats your jam, wonderful this is the whisky for you. Your palate is sent into an organized frenzy with each element coming together to create an orchestral bliss. Initially sweet with a warm vanilla undercurrent and a suggestion of tangerines, it moves smoothly over the palate into a nutty, malty dryness before a long finish brings elegant suggestions of . In 2020, Johnnie Walker announced a limited edition bottle of Blue Label to commemorate the 2020 Chinese New Year called "Year of the Tiger," says Reserve Bar. If youre talking sherry cask-matured single malt, The Macallan is likely the first brand that comes to mind. Gordon & MacPhail Dried fruit with a plummy sweetness mingles with a very soft and almost dry pall of smoke. Duncan Taylor An excellent, slightly peated Scotch redolent with aromas of cooked cereals and fresh herbal and floral aromas of newly cut hay and ripe fruit. By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Rebel The lions share of the whisky involved in this gilded bottle is Clynelish, a Highland whisky that adds a modicum of peat to the mix. 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. Only one among a thousand casks in their position is chosen to be fit for this label. Johnnie Walker Blue Label, King George V, NAS, 43% ABV, 750 ml, $310 A blended whisky made to celebrate the award of a Royal Warrant to Johnnie Walker by George V. The blend is drawn. Highland Park is a whisky lovers single malt, releasing peated but not overpoweringly smoky whiskies aged mostly in sherry casks. The English Whisky Co. This happens naturally when the cereal germinates, so hot water is added and the mixture warmed up until it thinks its time to grow. Its the spiritual kin of the Shetland sweaterstylish, full of texture, and a source of great warmth. Jim Murray gave it a 95-point score, among the highest he has ever given to a blended Scotch whisky. Another, often forgotten blended whisky that offers exceptional value for the price. This is just the first step to a whole new whisky experience. It feels like they took Johnnie Black and just added more smoke for the sake of more smoke. An incredibly outstanding value is The Famous Grouse, 30 YO, 43% ABV, 700 ml. You have control over the decision on whether to drink alcohol or not. Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year Old blends big, classic Johnnie Walker flavours with intriguing contemporary notes of citrus and fragrant almonds. Take the plunge and discover cocktail recipes, new product launches and the latest from our world of whisky. Still, this is the broadest of all the sips on the list and really only works as a mixer at the end of the day. 2) this is only $65 (depending on local taxes) and thats crazy cheap for a whisky this good. Glenfiddich The Original 1963 Single Malt . ACCOUNT. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. But this entry is not about Jonny Black. Blue Label takes every great aspect of Black Label and pushes them to their full potential. Yoichi, Johnnie Walker Black Label vs Gold LabelReserve, Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke 1.2 vs Compass Box PeatMonster. An exceptional value for the price. On the palate is a cornucopia of bright fruit flavor spiked with ginger and dark chocolate. 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. Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years An intensely rich Scotch that perfectly balances a trilogy of flavors and textures. 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. Blue is soft and mellow, with sherry, honey and vanilla notes. Underneath this fruit is a very subtle smoke, a little salinity, a touch of oak spice, and a little barnyard hay. Speaking of pursuit, its worth pointing out another important caveat to this list. In 2010, Bunnahabhain upped the proof from 86 to 92.6, providing an extra measure of oomph to this world-class whisky. Fary Lochan These are the same malts used in the Chivas range of blended whiskies. The end shifts towards Islay with a wisp of smoke as the sip fades quickly away while warming you with alcohol heat. Undisclosed 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. 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 . 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. Bruichladdichs core expression is actually unpeated, but the Port Charlotte range goes completely in the opposite direction with whiskies that are smoky like five-alarm fires. As stated by the Surgeon General of the United States, pregnant women should refrain from drinking alcohol as it increases their babys probability of having congenital defects. Johnnie Walker Blue Label has been produced and created in Scotland since 1992. 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. Johnnie Walker Blue Label's debut in 1992 sparked a run of thriving longevity that has ceased to slow down and continues to bask in accolades today. Below is a selection of outstanding blended Scotch whiskies. This 18-year-old whiskey from the West Coast Highlands of Scotland offers luxury among these different colors. Master of Malt Linkwood This whisky was actually taken off the market in 2012 and people lost their shit. Adding a little water, those orange oils marry to a deeply dark chocolate nature, which leads towards a velvety and ever-so-lightly smoky end. 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. 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. At an average price of $80 its also a terrific value. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a blend of Scotland's finest, rarest, and most exceptional bottles of whisky. AU $175.99 New. Ledaig Glenfarclas 21 Year Old Highland Malt 700mL Bottle. Soft, creamy vanilla pairs beautifully with warming malt on the palate. 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. the pioneering blend of the brand. Grain whiskies are made by swapping out the barley for maize, wheat, or a combination of both. 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. The colorful limited edition bottle showcases traditional Chinese patterns to celebrate the strides of Chinese New Year recognition and how celebrations have become a global event. Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old: Best For Those Who Take It Easy Buy here from The Whisky Exchange - 68.95. b52lord 5 yr. ago. Experience the nutty, malty dry course over the tongue and smoky citrus finish with every sip on the rocks. If any malt from ex-sherry casks was used, it was undoubtedly from Oloroso barrels, that dry and nearly flat type from Jerez. This is a very quaffable whisky that works wonders on the rocks. You may opt-out by. Retailing at $350 a bottle, Legendary Eight pays homage to the past as well as looks ahead to what is to come for the brand. Now its all about the liquid. The recommended list price is around $450, but is available from retailers for as little as $310 per bottle. Okay, maybe not so simple. Free postage. Lagavulin is a 16-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky born in a roaring bonfire from the coast of Islay. 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.". JOHNNIE WALKER. Were not here to discuss hard-to-track-down limited edition scotches today. 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. We only provide the approximate prices. In the midpalate a pleasant smokiness emerges from the heart of this whisky which combines with a solid salinity that integrates wonderfully with the fruit notes. ABunadh is Scottish Gaelic for of the origins, a nod to Aberlours founder, James Fleming. Johnnie Walker Blue label comes to mind. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Chinese New Year 2023 750mL Bottle. Opens soft on the palate . 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. Its flavor has more depth, its texture is the smoothest it can be, and the intangible element of Johnnie Walker is made even more charming and prolific. Broger Glenturret A 20cl bottle of Johnnie Walker's most prestigious whisky. The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold Blended Scotch Whisky. Now, the Gold Label Reserve is somewhat creamy and smooth in texture. Yamazaki Not sure if unbottling it the night before made it slightly better, but it isnt as abrasive as I remember it. With light wisps of peat smoke, charred oak, rich vanilla, and caramel, the blend of Blue Label grants you a layered experience that is consistent yet intriguing. Every Bottle Of The Core Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky Line, Ranked, GloRilla, Ice Spice, And The Carefree Black Girl Backlash, Karol G Tells Us About Her Most Personal Album Yet, Maana Ser Bonito, And Collaborating With Shakira, The Rundown: Between Cocaine Bears And Maple Syrup Heists, Margo Martindale Is Absolutely Thriving In 2023. 1) This is just a great whisky, period. MY LISTS. Unfortunately, this is another impossible to find whisky in the US. These are high in starches, but to make alcohol, they need to be converted into soluble sugars. A household name now and a likely favorite of your grandpa. Towards the end of the midpalate the whisky takes on a little spice with oak, black pepper, and ginger. Single malt Scotches are made from one. Johnnie Walker Gold has the affability of a blend without anything thats going to really challenge or offend anyone. Its just somewhat overpriced. If you find it snap it up, or two or three. Glendronach Peat is sometimes added at this stage, which helps the drying process and gives the finished whisky a smoky flavor. The Colours are the more commonly known labels. Macduff 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). The Apostles got an interesting Christmas present this year. The Gold's fruity side is more subtle when compared directly with the Black. it was first introduced as Johnnie Walker Pure Malt 15yr in 1997 before taking on its current name in 2004. Ledaig, safe haven in Gaelic, is handcrafted at the Tobermory Distillery, the only whisky production facility on the impossibly colorful Isle of Mull. The palate has a vanilla creaminess thats punctuated by bright apple, dried fruit, and more peat. 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. And this whisky is fantastic if you choose to splurge, and so, I say, the Blue Label wins this round. Johnnie Walker Black Label the true gentlemans drink. Even if this bottle was twice its going rate, wed still be raving about it. Mannochmore Of course, specific glassware and accompaniments are not entirely necessary. And if you do, we have another challenge for youpursue all the bourbons on this other list. Cameronbridge The taste allows the malt to shine as the vanilla, spice, and fruit counter a distant wisp of smoke. Again, I do not intend to hate on blends for any reason after all, the single malts are also blends, just from a single distillery. Glen Moray It used to be one of those bottles you could only get at duty-free but became widely available a few years ago. Port Wood is a whisky you will want to revisit time and time again. This classic Speyside whisky is worth twisting the tongue over. This was a struggle to place. House of MacDuff An outstanding value, even at an average price of $160. Never take this one away from us again, Diageo. Balblair 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. Dominant flavors include rich dark chocolate, dried coconut, and orange, with subtle notes of vanilla, nutmeg, and wood smoke. Auchentoshan This legendary single malt, formerly known as Fine Oak 18 Years Old, is an amalgam of spirits aged in a trio of different oak caskssherry-seasoned European oak, sherry-seasoned American oak, and American ex-bourbon barrels. Many are multiple award winners. After fermentation, it's distilled twice to enhance alcohol content and flavor. Glenmorangie If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission. Johnnie Walker is one of the best-selling whiskies in the world. Its a complete mystery how this liquid found its way into a near $100 offering. Thats the reason I can recommend all these authentic yet not well-known brands. The juice is a blend from Diageos deep stable of distilleries around Scotland thats specifically designed to be mixed and not taken straight. These fruit notes are combined with a nice clear malt flavor. Take in the . 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). You will find yourself swimming in honey-like flavors such as hazelnuts and sherry only to be surprised with the many hidden secrets of flavor in store such as dark chocolate, dried fruits, and spices. Full-bodied mouthfeel brims with blood orange, raisin and chocolate praline, with a bit of spice on the finish. They range from entry level brands to premium selections. Its Double Double 32 Year Old won Whisky of the Year in 2020, adding . The palate holds onto those notes while adding a peppery spice and a hint of orchard fruits. Think of the biggest, brightest bonfire youve ever seen, and then try to imagine all that white-hot intensity being bottled for consumption. Pair this usually with fruity flavors like apple or pear for a long lingering, smoky taste. Currently, the average price of one 750 mL bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label is $229on Wine-Searcher. Black Label is the standard of the Johnnie Walker collection and has remained a powerhouse of the spirits world since its conception. This special edition Blue Label is currently retailing for $299. This is not The Best Scotches of All Time. 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