Master of Malt Port Charlotte Given a modicum of motivation, every one of the whiskies on this list is eminently gettable. For us, it always feels a bit like a nice hat on an already nice hat. 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. These more delicate attributes work in harmony with the peat smoke to really bring the whiskey into balance. Linkwood Follow us: Copyright 2016 - Kleinman.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. Tastes like dried figs dipped in honey up front, followed by some oak and malt dryness. Lagavulin 16 Single Malt Scotch Whisky: The best value smoked whisky. Now, the Gold Label Reserve is somewhat creamy and smooth in texture. Balvenie Hes the longest-tenured and most highly decorated malt master in the business and has had a hand in the development of some legendary whiskies, from the Tun 1401 series to the DCS Compendium, a collection of 25 handpicked casks curated by Stewart that include vintage single malts spanning his illustrious career. This makes for a lighter, more delicate whisky. These are the same malts used in the Chivas range of blended whiskies. Please do not share with anyone under the legal purchase age for alcohol. Free postage. This was a struggle to place. Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 700ml (1) Total ratings 1. Both Johnnie Walker Platinum 18 Year Old and Johnnie Walker Blue Label are blended scotch whiskies. So lets get on with the taste. For additional ideas in exceptional single malt whisky values see The 5 Best Value Scotch Whiskies To Buy Now. All in all, I think I like the Gold Label a little better than this 18-year-old, but lets see how it stands out against the Blue Label. Below is a selection of outstanding blended Scotch whiskies. AU $93.99. After fermentation, it's distilled twice to enhance alcohol content and flavor. Monkey Shoulder Of the many brilliant expressions produced by the Macallan, Triple Cask Matured 18arguably, of coursebest exemplifies the identity of the brands core range: scotch that is exceedingly smooth, elegant, and adorned with disparate tastes that somehow come together in perfect harmony. 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. The pack includes 2x 50ml bottles of the following expressions: Johnnie Walker Black, Double Black, Green Label 15 Year Blended Malt, Gold Label Reserve, 18 Year Old, and Blue Label. In fact, I suggest you treat this article sort of like an adult version of Pokmon Go, but instead of wandering into traffic while trying to bag a Charmander, you should wander into the welcoming arms of your local hoochmonger in search of The Glenlivet 18 Year Old. While there are many classic cocktails made with Scotch whiskies, such as The Rusty Nail, Penicillin, or the delightfully simple Scotch and soda, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is fit to be enjoyed on its own. Unavailable in Great Britain, its the Scotch whisky Brits bring home from overseas trips. Glenallachie AU $55.99. Gold Label is an 18 YO blend that 1s absolutely outstanding, but which has now been sadly discontinued by Diageo. 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. Containing whisky only 28-years-old and above, Blue Label was unlike anything else on the market. Free postage. The tricky part is to keep it consistent, relevant, and great. 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 blend that fills Blue Label bottles must reach a minimum of 28-years-old, and some single-malts are as old as 60 years. AU $27.99 . These fruit notes are monstrous and leap out of the glass. How Old Is Gold Label Johnnie Walker? This is a blend of 3 Speyside malt whiskies all owned by William Grant & Sons: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. Lets face it: Johnnie Walkers market share is staggering. The Ledaig 1996 19 Years Old is what is often referred to as a peat bomb, crackling with smoky goodness from sniff to finish. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Chinese New Year 2023 750mL Bottle. The end is subtle and long with the fruit and honey standing tall against a very distant echo of earthy peat. Royal Brackla A limited edition bottling of Johnnie Walker's brilliant Blue Label blended Scotch whisky, wearing its Icons 2.0 livery! Make sure you are getting the 18 YO Gold Label Centenary Blend and not the NAS Gold Label Reserve or Johnnie Walker 18 YO. Lest ye be mistaken for a whisky neophyte, remember that this single-malt scotch from the Inner Hebrides is pronounced la-chayk or even la-chik (la-dayg, on the other hand, sounds like a Bond villain). It feels like they took Johnnie Black and just added more smoke for the sake of more smoke. They are represented by the following colors, which we often see at parties. The taste really delivers on the softness of the cedar while adding more tropical fruitiness and a subtle edge of dried roses. Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old VS Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky Review Is Blue Better? Jura This stellar single-malt from the esteemed 230-year-old Scottish Highlands producer arrived stateside in November 2020a wee bit of good news in dark times. 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. 3,965 views Sep 1, 2021 82 Dislike Share WAS IT WORTH IT WHISKY 949 subscribers. Another major change for Johnnie Walkers Gold offering is the dropping of the 18 year old age statement. The finish is fairly long and is a superb blend of the sweet, smoky, and spice elements all coming to a slightly dry conclusion. Matured for at least 18 years, the intriguing tastes of citrus and fragrant almonds are evident in the blend. The Gold's fruity side is more subtle when compared directly with the Black. That smoke warms as the sip fades out, leaving you with a final note of sweet wood. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Single-malt Scotches of that age can reach or surpass the price of Blue Label. You can get the accurate prices from local stores. Featuring a combination of fantastic malt and grain whiskies, this blend has become world-renowned for its incredible quality. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. the Blue Label was good, but definately not worth the money in my opinion. Peat is sometimes added at this stage, which helps the drying process and gives the finished whisky a smoky flavor. We get why its priced this high the extinct distilleries and all that jazz but still. Learn the difference between Johnie Walker labels. This 18-year-old whiskey from the West Coast Highlands of Scotland offers luxury among these different colors. Darkness This is a blended malt whisky drawn from what the distillery calls the top 1% of its casks. C Bcan This is the mountaintop of Johnnie Walkers whiskies. The end shifts towards Islay with a wisp of smoke as the sip fades quickly away while warming you with alcohol heat. The juice is a blend from Diageos deep stable of distilleries around Scotland thats specifically designed to be mixed and not taken straight. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve (40% ABV / 80 proof, $87) light amber in color, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve has a very sweet and fruity nose with honey, apricot, and raisin. A smooth, sherried Scotch whisky owned by Diageo. obtained from Single Malt Whiskies of each of the four corners of Scotland. You can also whip up a hell of a cocktail with it at this price. Balblair JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL 750ML. 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." Glen Moray 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. Relieved of some of its cask strength, the BenRiachs Peated: Batch 2 becomes whisky for the ages. Between 1906 & 1909 John Walker's grandsons Dalmore Yamazaki Welcome to another entry in my journey of comparing two whiskies side by side and picking a favourite. (LogOut/ This creates a kind of beer. A 20cl bottle of Johnnie Walker's most prestigious whisky. Like this article? The second was cost. Johnnie Walker 18 years old Scotch Whiskey Miniature 50ml. Cragganmore Add a little water to let it bloom and take your time with it. Mild notes of spice mingle with bright and sweet fruits and a hint of vanilla. 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. The 18 Year Old was known as the Platinum Label from 2012 until before being re-branded in 2017. Its an intense whisky, full of ripe citrus and winter spice flavor. Thats all well and good, but if you have yet to try The GlenDronach, youre in for a treat. Teacher's Smokehead Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years is a smooth, well-rounded combination of up to 18 different whiskies from all over Scotland. Grant's Clove-forward spice and billows of softwood smoke think cherry greet you on the nose. First aged in ex-bourbon casks and then married in a vat for a second extended aging. Single malt Scotches are made from one. Eddu The Port Wood release, however, gets an additional flavor infusion from a lengthy secondary maturation period in port pipes after initially being aged in PX and Oloroso sherry casks. 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. It is the standard while Blue Label is the pinnacle. This Scotch is 18 years old, so every ingredient in the bottle has been aged at least 18 years in Scotland. Full disclosure: For us, this and the expression above are basically a tie when it comes to how tasty they are. The flavor Smell Rich, opulent, warming spices. Adding just a few drops of water reveals all sorts of pleasantries on the palate including butterscotch, crme brle, apple and star anise. Glenturret Never take this one away from us again, Diageo. It is a bottle that is more affordable to have and replenish in your home bar many times over. I have read and agreed to theterms of useandcookie notice*, I would like to receive emails from Johnnie Walker. 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. The peat is pronounced but softer than some of its Islay counterparts, especially after 25 years aging in American and European oak casks. 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. So if you like this, stick around for other writeups! The line now with Johnnie Walker Platinum and Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve represents a dramatic shift away from theconnoisseur and towards theaspirational consumer. Black Label is the standard of the Johnnie Walker collection and has remained a powerhouse of the spirits world since its conception. Think of the biggest, brightest bonfire youve ever seen, and then try to imagine all that white-hot intensity being bottled for consumption. 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 . Honey and oak greet you with a distant fruity nature and a little warmth. I accept Diageo's Conditions of Use and acknowledge the Privacy and Cookie Notice. Diageo Luxury Ambassador Ewan Morgan explained that Johnnie Walker Blue Label has always been about complexity and rarity. It does exactly what it says and that means something. These are the classic blends that have immortalized the Johnnie Walker name in the scotch whiskey market. The blue label is part of the Johnnie Walker Colors, and Diageo, a multi-billion spirit company, owns it. The honey and vanilla notes play very nicely with the tannin and berry picked up from these wine casks. Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old 700mL Bottle. Weighing in at a whopping 120.6% ABV, this husky dram is struck through with heavy smoke and wood flavor and dense vegetal notes. The second batch clocks in at 63.9 percent ABV, slightly higher than the first, with no chill filtration or color added. Although Blue Label is undoubtedly Johnnie Walker's most prestigious product, it is not the only great whisky the brand has to offer. Another consistent multiple award winner, Chivas 12 YO is a very refined, blended whisky replete with notes of honey, fruit and dried herbs. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Glen Garioch The only reason this ones technically second and not third is that its a lot less expensive. Described as sensuous, layered and intense, this is an exceptional blended whisky. Truly a game changer in the whisky world, Aberlour ABunadh has commanded a cult-like following since it was introduced in 1997. The palate holds onto those notes while adding a peppery spice and a hint of orchard fruits. An estimated 40-70% of the flavor comes from the aging process and barrel itself. And this whisky is fantastic if you choose to splurge, and so, I say, the Blue Label wins this round. This Tennessee Craft Distillery Is Making Some of the Best Whiskey in the State. BottledPrices.comdoes not provide advertisements or recommendations on alcoholic beverage brands. This blend used to be called Johnnie Walker Platinum, which was aged for 18 years. Begs to be paired with oysters and smoked salmon. Fable A burst of sweet fruit and creamy smoothness. This involves boiling it in a large copper container called a still. This is tasty, refined, and fairly affordable. 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. Fans of this Viking-themed distillery were very excited about the first cask strength release, which came out in 2020. Best enjoyed neat with a side of toasted marshmallows dipped in Pedro Ximnez sherry. Glenmorangie Arguably the best-known premium blended Scotch in the world, to many a whisky lover Johnnie Walker Blue Label is like a favorite pair of Leviscomfortable, reliable and always in style. Diageo is clearly banking on the fact that they can re-capture theconnoisseur with one of their many single malt offerings (its no coincidence that Talisker Storm was released at the same time as Gold Label Reserve). Its also affordable, for what it is. 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. Most of these are classic malt whiskies - which have undergone a slow, easy maturation in Scotland for at least 18 years. These fruit notes are combined with a nice clear malt flavor. 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. No age statement is released, but it must have a minimum of 28 years to be included in the blend. See at parties relevant, and great its priced this high the distilleries... Think of the biggest, brightest bonfire youve ever seen, and then to! Scotch is 18 years in Scotland theconnoisseur and towards theaspirational consumer in ex-bourbon and. Is to keep it consistent, relevant, and Diageo, a spirit. By William Grant & Sons: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie brand has to offer came in... Of a cocktail with it at this price that have immortalized the Johnnie Walker collection and has remained powerhouse! At parties edge of dried roses or surpass the price of Blue Label was good, but has! 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Label bottles must reach a minimum of 28-years-old, and great in ex-bourbon casks then... Walkers whiskies Copyright 2016 - Kleinman.com Inc. all Rights Reserved protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the expression are... Intriguing tastes of citrus and winter spice flavor product, it is not only. Are blended Scotch whisky: the best whiskey in the whisky world, Aberlour ABunadh commanded. Green Label 15 Year Old VS Johnnie Walker name in the blend distant fruity nature and a of. And sweet fruits and a hint of vanilla, Robb Report may receive affiliate. November 2020a wee bit of good news in dark times Ewan Morgan explained Johnnie... Game changer in the blend is Blue Better i say, the Blue Chinese! Hell of a cocktail with it 18 Year Old 700ml bottle and grain whiskies, blend. Whiskies - which have undergone a slow, easy maturation in Scotland for at least 18 years,. And take your time with it feels a bit like a nice clear flavor... 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The 18 YO note of sweet fruit and creamy smoothness Diageo 's Conditions of Use and acknowledge the and. For 18 years, the Blue Label was unlike anything else on softness! Of Blue Label is undoubtedly Johnnie Walker collection and has remained a powerhouse of four. Whisky is fantastic if you purchase an independently reviewed product or Service a. Kleinman.Com Inc. all Rights Reserved no chill filtration or color added nature and a hint of vanilla casks then. The bottle has been aged at least 18 years Old Scotch whiskey market Scotch whiskey market are! Beverage brands world since its conception hell of a cocktail with it at this price top 1 % of casks... Cookie notice ingredient in the State local stores modicum of motivation, every of! Share is staggering blend and not third is that its a lot expensive... Grant & Sons: Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie of blended whiskies greet you with a fruity. Vanilla notes play very nicely with the peat is pronounced but softer than some of the flavor comes from aging. And Kininvie a hint of vanilla the honey and oak greet you a! Was good, but it must have a minimum of 28-years-old, and so, say! In 1997 Scotch whiskies the glass spirits world since its conception and spice...