Johnnie Walker is whisky recognised across the globe. In reality, it’s a worldwide icon and is actually the best-selling Scotch on the planet. Annually, greater than 22 million instances of this fab whisky are bought everywhere in the globe, and because the model continues to evolve and innovate, that quantity solely seems set to extend.
We’ve all seen the enduring striding man emblazoned proudly on the label of your favorite Johnnie Walker whisky, however what in regards to the completely different colored labels discovered on completely different bottles of this unbelievable tipple? Are they simply there so as to add a splash of color, or is there extra to it?
Communicate to any Johnnie Walker drinker, they usually’ll every have their very own favorite label. Whether or not it’s purple, black, inexperienced, or blue for these with costly tastes, every label tells its personal story, and represents its very personal distinctive whisky.
For right this moment’s put up, I assumed I’d discuss you thru the completely different Johnnie Walker labels, and what each represents.
Kicking issues off right this moment, we’ll start by Johnnie Walker’s hottest label.
Johnnie Walker Purple Label is actually the best-selling blended scotch whisky on the planet, so you may see simply how well-liked this dram actually is.
Whereas many take into account this an inexpensive and cheerful whisky, it’s definitely a lower above a number of the common finances ranges you’ll discover on the market, and it has the awards to show it.
Famend for its daring and complicated character, this NAS (no age assertion) whisky was first launched in 1909. For many who get pleasure from a blended Scotch, this whisky ought to tick all of the bins.
Heavy on notes resembling cinnamon, clove, and toffee, with a touch of smokiness, it really works nice neat, in addition to in a cocktail. It goes significantly nicely with ginger ale.
Johnnie Walker Black Label is one other agency favorite amongst Johnnie Walker followers, providing one thing just a little extra complicated than the Purple.
Initially launched approach again in 1865, below the identify ‘Further Particular Outdated Highland Whisky’, it was renamed in 1909 and offers the proper mix of candy, smoky, and spicy. It’s wealthy, complicated, refined, and is dangerously moreish.
I’ve tried my justifiable share of 12 yr outdated whiskies over time, and Johnnie Walker Black is up there amongst the perfect. Count on creamy toffee notes, a touch of candy mesquite BBQ smoke, and peppery, okay undertones.
Whereas Johnnie Walker Black Label has been round for greater than a century, by comparability the Double Black Label continues to be an toddler. It could be the youthful sibling of the Black Label, nevertheless it’s clearly the extra rebellious.
Johnnie Walker Double Black Label is one other NAS whisky which was first launched in 2011. It takes the boldness and complexities of the Black Label, and turns the amount up a number of notches, amplifying the smokier notes. That is largely attributable to peated Islay whiskies discovered within the mix, significantly Caol Ila, in addition to closely charred casks.
The top result’s whisky with heavier notes of peat smoke, balanced fantastically by sweeter notes of honey and toffee, with greater than a suggestion of peppery spiciness.
Whereas Johnnie Walker Inexperienced Label could also be one of many lesser-known whiskies from their Core Vary, that doesn’t make it any much less particular. In reality, it’s arguably essentially the most distinctive of this complete vary.
Johnnie Walker Inexperienced Label continues to be a blended Scotch, however is the one of its sort to be made solely of single malt whiskies. Moreover, to supply complexity and stability in equal measure, the one malts used on this mix come from 4 of Scotland’s main whisky areas.
Combining 15-year-old whiskies from Caol Ila, Cragganmore, Talisker, and Linkwood in good concord. This 15-year-old dram is probably not as mainstream as a number of the others within the vary, however don’t let that idiot you, the demand continues to be there. A lot so, that when Johnnie Walker pulled this label from manufacturing as a part of a ‘reshuffle’ in 2012 there was an enormous outcry. Followers of the dram weren’t glad, they usually let their emotions be identified. So strongly in actual fact, that it made a triumphant return in 2016.
Count on earthy, woody, smoky, spicy notes to dominate this dram, with simply the best stability of sweetness and fruitiness to tie all the pieces collectively completely. Many take into account this the unsung hero of the whole vary, but for some cause it simply doesn’t appear to get pleasure from as a lot love or consideration as say, the Purple or Black Label.
Now issues are actually beginning to get lavish and decadent, and if you consider inexpensive luxurious blends, you’d wrestle to do higher than Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. Initially pitched as a celebratory whisky to get pleasure from on particular events, this 18-year-old whisky has gained fairly the next over time.
Gold Label Reserve changed Johnnie Walker’s authentic Gold Label 18 Yr Outdated, which was retired again in 2012, once more as a part of their reshuffling. This substitute nonetheless, proved to be an enormous hit, and has since picked up quite a few rewards and accolades consequently.
Constructed from a vibrant and wealthy collection of whiskies, together with Clynelish, this non-age-stated whisky offers heavy notes of toffee and honey, with easy and creamy hints of fruity vanilla begging to be found. There’s additionally a faint sprinkling of smoke, for added richness and boldness.
Previously often called their ‘Platinum Label’ this whisky was launched in 2011, and renamed in 2017, the place it was merely often called ‘Johnnie Walker 18 Yr Outdated’.
Mixing a collection of 18-year-old whiskies from throughout Scotland, it is a whisky for these with mature and complex palates, who benefit from the traditional tastes of Johnnie Walker, with just a little one thing extra.
Combining blends from Blair Athol, Glen Elgin, Cardhu, and hints of smoky Islay expressions, it’s easy, fruity, candy, and barely smoky. Whereas it has been described, considerably contradictory, as ‘tough and easy’ we want to explain it as it’s, which is an exceptionally nice dram, with a reasonably inexpensive price ticket to match.
For these with costly tastes, who benefit from the extra lavish of life’s pleasures, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the head of excellence (try to say that after a number of doubles).
Their costliest label, Blue Label is created from a collection of very uncommon casks, together with ones present in silent and ‘ghost’ distilleries that are now not in operation. This can be a NAS whisky aged for at least 3 years, however there have been reviews of it containing whiskies as outdated as 60!
So uncommon are a number of the drams used on this whisky, that Johnnie Walker solely deem 1 in each 10,000 casks appropriate for the Blue Label of approval.
Every bottle of this whisky is numbered individually to present it that particular feeling. Offering unbelievable mouthfeel, physique, complexity, and superb flavour, Blue Label actually is synonymous with status and decadence.
Count on notes of darkish chocolate, dried figs, honey, blended fruits, and lightweight cedar smoke. There’s a distinctly citrussy end right here, lingering within the background, coupled with mild spice. That is the kind of dram you’d anticipate to get pleasure from in a library, sat on a leather-based chesterfield subsequent to a roaring hearth.
For those who’d prefer to study extra about your favorite whiskies, or just deal with your self to a dram or two within the course of, head on over to GreatDrams.com and try what now we have to supply.
With a formidable collection of limited-edition, uncommon, and award-winning whisky, in addition to heaps of whisky data on our weblog, it’s the proper spot for any whisky lovers on the market.
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