Johnnie Walker Black Label Review

Johnnie Walker Black Label is probably the most recognisable bottle of Scotch in the world. The striding man, the square bottle, the black label. Pretty much every bar on earth has one.

It’s a blend that people either respect or dismiss as too common. Let’s see which way it goes for me.

A very big blend

The Johnnie Walker story starts with John Walker, who opened a grocer’s shop in Kilmarnock in 1820. The company is now part of Diageo. The Black Label is a blended Scotch aged for at least 12 years, bottled at 40%. It is said to be a blend of around 40 different whiskies, including malts from Talisker, Caol Ila and Cardhu, which is where its smoky edge comes from.

The striding man logo was drawn in the early 1900s, and the bottle has kept its square shape for over a century.

A blend with some smoke

I lean towards smooth and approachable whisky and I’m fine with a little smoke. A blend that has a bit of Islay and Skye in it, wrapped in softer grain whisky, sounds like it could suit me well. It’s also a mainstream bottle I can compare against other mainstream blends.

Trying it

I tried this neat and over ice. I expected something very ordinary, and it’s more interesting than that. There’s a bit of smoke, but I can live with it.

Nose: Smoke and dried fruit, with vanilla. It smells warm and a little smoky, but gentle.

Palate: Smooth and slightly smoky. Fruit, vanilla and malt, with a wisp of smoke in the background. The smoke is there, but it’s light and doesn’t spoil it. It’s well balanced and easy to drink.

Finish: Medium to long, with a little smoke lingering. Ice softened the smoke nicely.

The rest of the colours

Red Label is the cheaper, harsher mixing whisky. Double Black has more smoke. Green Label is the blended malt. Gold Label Reserve is a lighter premium bottle. Blue Label is the top of the standard range. Black Label is the middle and the one with the broadest appeal.

Alternatives

Chivas Regal 12 is smoother and sweeter. Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt. Famous Grouse is cheaper. Teacher’s is a smokier budget blend.

Value

I paid about $38 for a 750 ml bottle. That’s good value for a 12-year-old blend.

Black Label is usually priced a little above the cheapest blends and below the single malts. In duty free and supermarkets it’s often discounted. Compare it with Chivas 12 and Monkey Shoulder.

Who it is for

It’s for people who want a widely available, balanced blend with a bit of smoke. It also makes a safe gift. If you want something unusual, there are more interesting bottles.

The bar standard

This is the whisky that’s on the back bar almost everywhere. I tried it the way I’d have it in a bar: over a single ice cube. It’s a lovely way to drink it, and the smoke softens nicely.

Smoke levels

The smoke is the one thing I’d mention again. It’s gentle, but it’s there, and I notice it at the end of every sip. For someone who dislikes smoke, it’s still manageable. For someone who likes it, it’s a nice touch.

At $38 it’s very good value for a 12-year-old. I’d buy it again, but I’d still choose Chivas for a smoother glass.

Last word

Johnnie Walker Black Label is a very good blend, and one of the best-value bottles on the shelf. It has a hint of smoke, a lot of balance and a smooth finish. I’d say it’s been popular for a reason, and I understand why.

If you like a bit of smoke but don’t want it to dominate, it’s a great choice. It’s also a great whisky for people who want to move from basic blends to something a bit more grown up.

At $38 it’s good value, and I’d happily buy it again. For my taste, I’d choose Chivas if I wanted a smoother glass, and Black Label if I wanted a little more interest. Both are good, and both are easy to find.

Verdict

Yes. It’s a solid, reliable bottle. I’d buy it again, though Chivas is a bit smoother.