Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is a multi-award-winning blend (lots of gold medals, appropriately) created by master blender Jim Beveridge to celebrate nearly 200 years of the art of blending. The Gold Label Reserve was relaunched in 2012 as a replacement for the popular Gold Label 18 and is made from whiskies across Speyside, Islay, the Highlands, and Lowlands.
It’s built around a core of single malt whisky from Clynelish, but also features spirit from the likes of Cardhu, Blair Athol, and grain whisky from Cameronbridge, all chosen for their sweet, honeyed qualities. It’s delicious neat but also mixes well, like in serves such as the bespoke Gold & Apple created especially for this blend (recipe below). Although we think for the best effect, you should drink it while singing Spandau Ballet’s classic ‘Gold’. That’s what we do.
Gold & Apple cocktail recipe
Prep time: Five minutes
Servings: Makes one serving
Ingredients:
40ml Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
75ml apple juice
75ml soda water
An apple slice and/or a sprig of rosemary to garnish
Method:
Fill a Highball glass with ice then add 40ml Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. Pour 75ml apple juice and then 75ml soda water on top, then garnish with an apple slice and/or a sprig of rosemary.
Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt
Nose Honey and heather with thick caramel notes and a subtle nutmeg spice. Dried meadow flowers and a hint of fresh banana.
Palate Smooth and succulent with a honeyed sweetness that's typical of Johnnie Walker. There's more to this though, the floral elements are quite prominent and there's a spiced sweet vanilla note too.
Finish Long, sweet and toffee-like.
Overall A typically easy drinking blend from Johnnie Walker, this will not disappoint fans of the style.