Blended
Scotland
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.
Honey and heather with thick caramel notes and a subtle nutmeg spice. Dried meadow flowers and a hint of fresh banana.
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.
Long, sweet and toffee-like.
A typically easy drinking blend from Johnnie Walker, this will not disappoint fans of the style.
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Worst thing that ever got into my hands, me and my wife drunk 2 small glasses, wanted to die in agony for the next 4 hours. (coloured spirit)
Oh dear, dear me. The times I have defended the humble blend from my single malt indoctrinated cronies; and my shield of choice has generally been a certain Mr Walker and his labels of many colours. I got a bottle of Black Label for my birthday and it sang with balance, poise and, frankly, value. I then moved up to Double Black which was like Black but stronger and better. I got myself a shot of Blue which was like magic and then found myself a bottle of Green which was not only penny for penny the best of the lot but was probably the best in absolute terms too. So, my level of excitement when I found a bottle of Gold Reserve on offer was exceeded only by my level of disappointment after finally coming to terms with this miserable dram. It tastes like, at best, a watered down Black Label and at worst a watered down version of a local shop's own label. You can tell it's JW but it lacks any depth or the any of the usual quality. For nearly £40 per bottle, I can't tell what it is supposed to be - I think Gold used to be 18 years old but this bottle has no age statement and doesn't fit in at all to the otherwise clearly defined and obviously upwardly graded 'label' range. I am now left with 3/4 of a bottle of Gold to drink but feel more like heading out and getting some Spar's own brand - honestly!
I remember reading an article some years ago when members of the public were asked what they thought Johnnie Walker was, and a most common answer was 'something to do with golf' (due to their sponsorship of the Ryder Cup for many years I suppose). maybe they should return to those times & stick to what they do best rather than impart another mediocre dram upon us.
Amazing drink. Smooth. Your energy remains un-depleted (perhaps even replenished) when you wake up in the morning. No hangover.
How this won best blend is amusing. Bought a bottle, so me review is not based on a sample. First dram, absolutely flat. With some oxygen playing a role later in the life of this miserable bottle, it became SLIGHTLY better. Still, you wont find this in my bar. Johnnie Walker Green not only cheaper, but much much better. Yup, this is just my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. Cheers!!
