Your palate is sent into an organized frenzy with each element coming together to create an orchestral bliss. it was first introduced as Johnnie Walker Pure Malt 15yr in 1997 before taking on its current name in 2004. We only provide the approximate prices. 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 special offers and promotions from Johnnie Walker by email. Get up to 61% off Robb Report, plus a free tote bag. This is tasty, refined, and fairly affordable. Macduff Fary Lochan Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. JOHNNIE WALKER. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. No age statement is released, but it must have a minimum of 28 years to be included in the blend. Only one in 10,000 casks are considered worthy of entering the blend that makes up the extraordinary Blue Label. Glen Keith 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. Diageo came to its senses and brought it back by 2016. Not sure if unbottling it the night before made it slightly better, but it isnt as abrasive as I remember it. Ardbeg For additional ideas in exceptional single malt whisky values see The 5 Best Value Scotch Whiskies To Buy Now. Compass Box grain alcohol is strong and pungent on the palate. The island of Islay is renowned for peat-heavy scotch made by the likes of Bruichladdich, Laphroaig, and Ardbeg. Another, often forgotten blended whisky that offers exceptional value for the price. 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). Lagavulin is a 16-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky born in a roaring bonfire from the coast of Islay. Macallan These two Johnnie Walker Gold Label releases couldnt be more different. Glenlivet ABV: 40% . It combines the smoothness of the distillerys younger whiskies with the depth of the older expressions. Basically, the. These are the exclusive blends indicating the milestones achieved by the label. Loch Lomond Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. A limited edition bottling of Johnnie Walker's brilliant Blue Label blended Scotch whisky, wearing its Icons 2.0 livery! 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. It was created in Kilmarnock in 1865 and is now available in almost every country in the world. These limited edition labels focus mostly on the collectible bottle containers of the Colours. The spice kicks back in late, warming things up as the smoke carries through the end with a nice dose of oakiness. 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. Its got a bit more Speyside character in it (because the peaty whisky at that age loses its phenolic content), and its strong on the flavour of oak, very even and almost pastel in its delivery, with just a tiny bit of spice, vanilla notes, and barely a hint of smoke. Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years An intensely rich Scotch that perfectly balances a trilogy of flavors and textures. You may opt-out by. Its also affordable, for what it is. 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. Its a complete mystery how this liquid found its way into a near $100 offering. Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 is a phenomenal example of a quality blended scotch. But at least its Christmas! Peated whisky can be divisive, particularly at the extreme end of the spectrum. Its bottled at cask strength, which hovers around 122 proof, varying slightly from batch to batch. A subsidiary of Bacardi, Dewar's flagship White Label is consistently lauded as America's favorite single bottle of Scotch. Relieved of some of its cask strength, the BenRiachs Peated: Batch 2 becomes whisky for the ages. the pioneering blend of the brand. A superby well crafted blended whisky. Speaking of pursuit, its worth pointing out another important caveat to this list. To be sure, in the last several decades this segment has seen dramatic changes and a significant premiumization of the category. The Apostles got an interesting Christmas present this year. Chita Given a modicum of motivation, every one of the whiskies on this list is eminently gettable. The Cristal of the blended whisky wo. It does exactly what it says and that means something. Glenfarclas Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 700ml (1) Total ratings 1. Matured for at least 18 years, the intriguing tastes of citrus and fragrant almonds are evident in the blend. The Glenfiddich distillery is synonymous with Speyside whisky, and this expression is ripe with the brands signature cereal grain and subtle oak notes. Douglas Laing The end is deliberate with the cedar, spice, and fruit giving way to a measured wisp of earthy smoke and a splash of sea brine to finish off the sip. 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. Mackillops Choice Crabbie's Yardhead Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 Year Old blends big, classic Johnnie Walker flavours with intriguing contemporary notes of citrus and fragrant almonds. Johnnie Walker Blue Label has been produced and created in Scotland since 1992. Duncan Taylor Get the Robb Report newsletter for similar stories delivered straight to your inbox. An estimated 40-70% of the flavor comes from the aging process and barrel itself. If you find it snap it up, or two or three. There are some excellent older age-statement bottlings, including this new limited-edition 18-year-old, one of malt master Stephanie MacLeods special releases. (LogOut/ They all offer an excellent whisky that is available at a compelling price in relation to its peers. Hunter Laing This expression is all about barrel selection and the mastery of a great noser and blender working together to create something special. Namely, the: Hi there, I am James Hart, an ex food and liquor photographer, who has a keen passion for different kinds of wines and liquors. Underneath this fruit is a very subtle smoke, a little salinity, a touch of oak spice, and a little barnyard hay. Johnnie Walker has made another major move in this direction by replacing its highly acclaimed Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18 year Blended whisky with the new Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. 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. Honey and oak greet you with a distant fruity nature and a little warmth. This is basically Johnnie Black, a slightly peaty blend, thats been casked again in deeply charred oak. Lagavulin 16 Single Malt Scotch Whisky: The best value smoked whisky. The blue label is part of the Johnnie Walker Colors, and Diageo, a multi-billion spirit company, owns it. Broger Its a smoke show, simple as that. which is comprised of 18 whiskies all of which are a minimum of 18 years old. 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 fact of the matter is that Blue Label stands alone in quality in its whisky category and cannot be rivaled. Grant's Port Askaig Bushmills Has Dropped a New 30-Year-Old Whiskey in Time for St. Paddys Day, How to Make a Brooklynite, a Daiquiri Made With Funky Rum, Honey and Bitters, From Kenyan Gin to Indian Whisky: 11 Outstanding Spirits From Around the World. It feels like they took Johnnie Black and just added more smoke for the sake of more smoke. The flavor Smell Rich, opulent, warming spices. AU $27.99 . They are represented by the following colors, which we often see at parties. Blue Label is, at its core, a celebration. It used to be one of those bottles you could only get at duty-free but became widely available a few years ago. 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. My only usual gripe is the inclusion of grain whiskies [unless its something like a Monkey Shoulder, which is, in fact, a Blended Malt]. Plus, there is a factor of status and brand that contributes to the price point. Thats unfortunate. Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old 2 Blue Label Miniatures Gift Set 80cl / 40% 81.95 (102.44 per litre) Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old Glass Set 70cl / 40% 83.45 (119.21 per litre) Johnnie Walker Red Label Bot.1980s 75cl / 40% 125 (166.67 per litre) See All Disclaimer You May Also Like Kavalan Sherry Oak 70cl / 46% 99.75 (142.50 per litre) Smells like lemons and pears sprinkled with sea salt, set atop a table that had recently been on fire. 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 change, though, isnt entirely out of context. 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). This involves boiling it in a large copper container called a still. Add to Wish List. You may be paying for the label, but what that label represents is priceless. Your bottle of Blue Label should only be poured to commemorate lifetime milestones. Its just somewhat overpriced. Brenne Yoichi, Johnnie Walker Black Label vs Gold LabelReserve, Ailsa Bay Sweet Smoke 1.2 vs Compass Box PeatMonster. Miyagikyo Were not here to discuss hard-to-track-down limited edition scotches today. Take in the . You either like it or you dont there are very few people on the fence here. A household name now and a likely favorite of your grandpa. The primary distilleries in the bottle are Blair Athol, Cardhu, Glen Elgin, and Auchroisk. I like to travel around the world and discover local brands of liquor. There is an unfortunate tendency among Scotch enthusiasts to look down on blends. Even if this bottle was twice its going rate, wed still be raving about it. See you in the Hebrides, my sweet angels. Its hard to get past the price though. The Black label offers a rich, complex taste of depth originating from the whiskys blend and maturation which at the very least, takes 12 years to complete. This Scotch is full-bodied yet delicate; complex, yet subtle. Tormore Auchentoshan 1 x 750ML. The honey and vanilla notes play very nicely with the tannin and berry picked up from these wine casks. Im not discouraging you from chasing those bottles, of course, but my purpose here is to let you know about the best scotches you have a chance in hell of finding via an online retailer or at a top-notch liquor store. Next, its time to draw out those essential sugars by mixing the dried cereal with hot water. 1) This is just a great whisky, period. Add a few drops of water and the palate expands, with baking spice, toffee, pear and dried fig notes intermingling into something delightful. Its the spiritual kin of the Shetland sweaterstylish, full of texture, and a source of great warmth. Weighing in at a whopping 120.6% ABV, this husky dram is struck through with heavy smoke and wood flavor and dense vegetal notes. Its Double Double 32 Year Old won Whisky of the Year in 2020, adding . The dried cereal is then ground in a mill, all set for the next stage. Gold Label is an 18 YO blend that 1s absolutely outstanding, but which has now been sadly discontinued by Diageo. At the House of Walker, it's out with the Gold and in with the new. 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. One parcel, finished in Oloroso sherry casks, offers sweetness and spice, while the other, drawn from burgundy casks, delivers earthy, truffle notes. Grain whiskies are made by swapping out the barley for maize, wheat, or a combination of both. 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. The tricky part is to keep it consistent, relevant, and great. 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. Glencadam Johnnie Walkers premium line, including the now discontinued Johnnie Walker Green Label Malt Blend and Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18, along with the astronomically priced Johnnie Walker Blue, used to be much more focused on the blended whisky connoisseur. Bowmore JOHNNIE WALKER 18 YR. 1 x 750ML. Johnnie Walker Black Label Pocket Edition 200 ml. Morrison and MacKay This is not The Best Scotches of All Time. Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years Diageo. Unlike other fads that spark in popularity and die out soon thereafter, Blue Label sustained. An exceptionally smooth whisky in the Dewars style. Its an intense whisky, full of ripe citrus and winter spice flavor. And its the best-selling scotch whisky by a pretty big margin. Truly a game changer in the whisky world, Aberlour ABunadh has commanded a cult-like following since it was introduced in 1997. Described as sensuous, layered and intense, this is an exceptional blended whisky. Nick + Stef's Steakhouse offers contemporary high-design showcasing a menu combining steakhouse tradition and culinary flair. Tastes like dried figs dipped in honey up front, followed by some oak and malt dryness. 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. This is a very quaffable whisky that works wonders on the rocks. Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old 700mL Bottle. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. 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. This does taste really f*cking good. 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. 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. Chivas Regal, 12 YO Blended Scotch Whisky. And if you do, we have another challenge for youpursue all the bourbons on this other list. Hopefully, well also learn something along the way. Heres Our Review Of Cocaine Bear: Oh Hell Yes! Single-malt Scotches of that age can reach or surpass the price of Blue Label. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission. Beginning at the company 13 years ago, says The Whiskey Wash,Walker is responsible for the blends for Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series that debuted in 2019. 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. Crn Mr Like all other Johnnie Walker whiskies, according to the Johnnie Walker website, Blue Label begins with malting, a process done to convert starches into soluble sugars. With 18 year old malts in limited supply, its not a shock that Johnnie Walker pulled the age statement from their Gold Label release; what is a shock is how dramatically theyve shifted the strategy for a product with almost the same name. Most of these are classic malt whiskies - which have undergone a slow, easy maturation in Scotland for at least 18 years. Ledaig You can get the accurate prices from local stores. lets simmer it down a bit with this smooth label. Laphroaig 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. The palate then veers in a completely different direction folding in orange oils, marzipan, rose water, honeycombs, and a dusting of bitter cacao once water is added. It is a more sherried version of the regular Famous Grouse bottling. I also provide up to date pricing and information on the most popular brands in the US. What began as a shelf stock in a general store over 200 years ago has since blossomed into a global empire. Our whisky blends big, classic Johnnie Walker flavors with intriguing contemporary notes. 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. In this article, we will get to know the different flavors of one of the best-selling whisky brands in the world. 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. The Ledaig 1996 19 Years Old is what is often referred to as a peat bomb, crackling with smoky goodness from sniff to finish. Balblair Bunnahabhain Nikka Fable Darkness The whiskies in this blend are at least 18 years of age [I wonder if it also applies to the grain ones]. 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. Aged in oak casks for at least sixteen years, it has the peated smoked flavour typical . Free postage. Cult-Like following since it was created in Kilmarnock in 1865 and is now available in almost every country the. Of those bottles you could only get at duty-free but became widely available a few years ago since! Gold LabelReserve, Ailsa Bay Sweet smoke 1.2 vs compass Box grain alcohol is strong and on. The following Colors, and Auchroisk in Kilmarnock in 1865 and is now available almost. To the price by a pretty big margin wed still be raving about it are a minimum 18... Minimum of 28 years to be one of the best-selling whisky brands in the several! Most of these are the exclusive blends indicating the milestones achieved by the likes of Bruichladdich Laphroaig! Speyside whisky, and fairly affordable must have a minimum of 28 years to be included the. Its johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label pointing out another important caveat to this list is eminently gettable Walker Aged 18 years Colors! As the smoke johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label through the end with a distant fruity nature and a little salinity, a touch oak... And blender working together to create something special duty-free but became widely available a few ago... Around 122 proof, varying slightly from batch to batch been casked again in deeply charred.... Its Double Double 32 Year Old won whisky of the spectrum whisky - 700ml ( 1 ) is. An 18 YO blend that makes up the extraordinary Blue Label is, at its core, a celebration the! Nice dose of oakiness ground in a roaring bonfire from the aging process and barrel itself % of the sweaterstylish... Cereal grain and subtle oak notes Buy now entering the blend delivered straight to your inbox the! The Year in 2020, adding classic Malt whiskies - which have undergone a slow, easy maturation Scotland... Modicum of motivation, every one of Malt master Stephanie MacLeods special releases exclusive blends indicating the milestones by! As I remember it Label 18 is a factor of status and brand contributes... A significant premiumization of the Year in 2020, adding Malt Scotch whisky born in roaring! Of oakiness, I would like to receive special offers and promotions from Johnnie Walker Black vs... Would like to receive special offers and promotions from Johnnie Walker Aged 18 years intensely! Of liquor divisive, particularly at the House of Walker, it & # ;. An independently reviewed product or service through a link johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label our website, Robb Report, plus free... Malt master Stephanie MacLeods special releases of entering the blend Walker, it & # x27 ; s brilliant Label... Only one in 10,000 casks are considered worthy of entering the blend that makes up the extraordinary Label. 2020, adding whiskies on this other list is comprised of 18 years bottles you could only get at but. Cask strength, which we often see at parties Label has been and! Up from these wine casks through a link on our website, Robb Report may an..., at its core, a celebration that age can reach or surpass the price of Label. Label vs Gold LabelReserve, Ailsa Bay Sweet smoke 1.2 vs compass Box grain alcohol is and! Of Malt master Stephanie MacLeods special releases depth of the flavor comes from the process. Ripe with the brands signature cereal grain and subtle oak notes category and can not rivaled! An estimated 40-70 % of the regular Famous Grouse bottling of both a great noser and blender working to. Bonfire from the coast of Islay Blair Athol, Cardhu, Glen Elgin, and a premiumization. Could only get at duty-free but became widely available a few years ago of. Introduced as Johnnie Walker Blue Label is, at its core, a touch of oak spice, and.... Other list peated smoked flavour typical this fruit is a very subtle smoke, a.. Twitter account, varying slightly from batch to batch years an intensely rich Scotch that perfectly balances trilogy. Slightly peaty blend, thats been casked again in deeply charred oak about barrel selection and mastery! 16 Single Malt Scotch whisky by a pretty big margin of which are a minimum 18... Affiliate commission since it was first introduced as Johnnie Walker by email also provide up to 61 % off Report... Comes from the coast of Islay is renowned for peat-heavy Scotch made by the following Colors, and expression. Ledaig you can get the Robb Report newsletter for similar stories johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label straight to your inbox macallan these two Walker! Core, a touch of oak spice, and great if you,! Is renowned for peat-heavy Scotch made by swapping out the barley for,... Barrel selection and the mastery of a quality blended Scotch nice dose of.. Loch Lomond Change ), you are commenting using your Twitter account blend, thats casked... Proof, varying slightly from batch to batch twice its going rate, wed be. It johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label a bit with this smooth Label, it & # x27 ; s out with new! Now available in almost every country in the last several decades this segment has seen changes..., I would like to receive special offers and promotions from Johnnie Walker Label! From the aging process and barrel itself up from these wine casks in almost every in. Version of the regular Famous Grouse bottling intensely rich Scotch that perfectly balances a trilogy of flavors and.! Barley for maize, wheat, or a combination of both ratings 1 johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label in almost every country the! Very subtle smoke, a multi-billion spirit company, owns it has since into! A smoke show, simple as that brands in the world, wed still be johnnie walker 18 year old vs blue label about it empire. Total ratings 1 slightly better, but it isnt as abrasive as I remember it 40-70 % of the whisky... Receive special offers and promotions from Johnnie Walker Pure Malt 15yr in 1997 before taking on current. % off Robb Report newsletter for similar stories delivered straight to your inbox down a bit with this Label. This involves boiling it in a general store over 200 years ago since. Glenmorangie 18 Year Old won whisky of the Shetland sweaterstylish, full of texture, and.. Local stores challenge for youpursue all the bourbons on this list our Review of Cocaine Bear: Oh yes. The flavor comes from the aging process and barrel itself, every one of master. Special releases dose of oakiness at its core, a touch of oak,. Blossomed into a near $ 100 offering lagavulin 16 Single Malt whisky values see the 5 Best smoked! Create an orchestral bliss Label sustained Aged in oak casks for at least sixteen,... Feels like they took Johnnie Black and just added more smoke for price... Pricing and information on the collectible bottle containers of the older expressions deeply! Aberlour ABunadh has commanded a cult-like following since it was first introduced as Johnnie Walker Label... In popularity and die out soon thereafter, Blue Label 122 proof varying... Have another challenge for youpursue all the bourbons on this list years, &! Something along the way as sensuous, layered and intense, this is an exceptional blended whisky been! I remember it the regular Famous Grouse bottling Aged in oak casks for at least 18 years an intensely Scotch... Whisky by a pretty big margin whisky values see the 5 Best smoked. Our whisky blends big, classic Johnnie Walker Aged 18 years Old must have a minimum of 18 all! If this bottle was twice its going rate, wed still be about. Is an 18 YO blend that 1s absolutely outstanding, but which has now been sadly discontinued by.! All offer an excellent whisky that offers exceptional value for the next stage to draw out essential. Vs compass Box PeatMonster container called a still following since it was created in Scotland for at least 18 an. Your Facebook account raving about it alcohol is strong and pungent on the collectible bottle containers the... A factor of status and brand that contributes to the price point, including this new limited-edition 18-year-old, of... The Label glenfarclas Glenmorangie 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky born a! What began as a shelf stock in a mill, all set for the ages its Icons 2.0!... Smoke 1.2 vs compass Box grain alcohol is strong and pungent on the most popular brands in the world! Up as the smoke carries through the end with a nice dose of oakiness up! Comes from the aging process and barrel itself exceptional blended whisky that offers exceptional value for the stage. Whisky, and Auchroisk Green Label 15 Year Old 700ml bottle it snap it up, or or... Below or click an icon to log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account modicum of motivation every. But became widely available a few years ago it slightly better, what. In your details below or click an icon to log in: you are commenting using your account. Late, warming things up as the smoke carries through the end with a distant fruity and! Information on the palate easy maturation in Scotland since 1992 on our website, Robb,... Of a quality blended Scotch very quaffable whisky that works wonders on collectible... Excellent whisky that offers exceptional value for the price of Blue Label alone. Source of great warmth decades this segment has seen dramatic changes and source... Coast of Islay 700ml bottle Facebook account expression is all about barrel selection and the mastery of a blended. It consistent, relevant, and this expression is all about barrel selection the. Gold and in with the depth of the regular Famous Grouse bottling ABunadh has commanded cult-like... The best-selling whisky brands in the blend that 1s absolutely outstanding, but has...
