Blended
Scotland
The Johnnie Walker Blue Label story begins in 1987 when the Distillers Company launched Johnnie Walker Oldest. It quickly became known as Blue Label, for obvious reasons, and was a blend of rare malt and grain whiskies bottled without an age statement with stylishly retro packaging that echoed the 19th century Johnnie Walker bottle.
Though expensive, or perhaps because it was expensive, it proved an instant hit. By 1997, it was selling 50,000 cases globally. As a known currency throughout the world, it’s perhaps the ultimate gift whisky. You know you’ve done a good job or your in-laws approve when you receive a bottle.
Blue Label is drawn from unparalleled Diageo reserves of maturing malt and grain whiskies from across four regions (Highland, Lowland, Speyside, and Islay), including ghost distilleries, that Johnnie Walker has privileged access to. Whatever the exact blend, a consistent flavour profile that’s a beautiful balance of rich, slightly smoky, and fruity elements.
Fragrant with good body. Notes of oak, crisp spice, dried fruit, pastries. Berry fruits, aniseed, hints of cedar, a touch of spice and citrus.
Supple and balanced. Good toffee and hints of very wistful smoke. Chocolate, hints of grass and a good hit of malt.
Floral, oaky, good length, urged on by a plume of very well-kept, highland style smoke. Dried fruit, spice, honey.
One of the ultimate premium blends, Blue Label is a legend in its own right and will continue to be.
Was: £187.90Now: £181.50
Vat 69 tastes better
Smells amazing. Tastes good too, best JW, and I've had Black, Double Black, Green and Gold.
... It's a rich and luxuriant upper-class dram done the only way Johnnie Walker can do it (this isn't fanboy-ism, I'm talking about an appreciation for the unique flavour profiles found in JW Black and upwards which some will like more than others). If Johnnie Walker's rainbow range doesn't tend to disappoint you, then Blue won't either. It tastes great - and I'm happy to have spent £120 on a bottle. It tastes like £120, frankly. I haven't come to appreciate the diversity of single malts yet, though I know a priori there's much to appreciate there; but I CAN say that I prefer this to Glenfiddich 15 Solera Vat by a long way. The grassy peat with a subtle, ninja-like fruitiness following shortly after is more my thing than the emphasis on rich sherry and other sweet tasting tones in the Glen15. Blue Label, and Black for that matter, remind me of the smells of the West Sussex countryside in England; where hay bundles, dewy grass, damp mud and salty air define the daily sensory experience. If your childhood was not as such, your experience of Blue Label may, naturally, differ. A conservative rating of 7 taking into account my bias for Johnnie Walker's flavour profiles, peatier malts, and inexperience of single malts and other high end blends -- It IS much better than Black Label. I'm surprised at those who think otherwise. Blue Label is so much smoother, richer, warming and nuanced. Tastes better too. And I have guzzled enough Black Label to drown Aquaman.
Okay, at the very outset let me tell you, amongst the several Restaurant & Hotel franchises I OWN, includes franchises of 8 Very High End Fine Dining Restaurants in 4 Continents (NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST/ASIA & AFRICA). I have noticed a distinct trend, rich patrons in my Middle East, Asia, Africa restaurant routinely order this Drink, not because, they understand the finer nuances of a Whiskey but, because it is considered a status symbol in those societies. So, yes inadvertently this Whiskey does provide me with a Bulk of my Liquor sales in those territories. That does not mean this whiskey is GREAT. Far from it, this whiskey leave aside its smooth & silky feel, is devoid of any subtle tasting notes or any life altering flavors. At best Blue Label is mediocre, and anyone who pays that kind of money on this Dram of piss, is imbecile and a show off. I am talking of even the Anniversary edition. If better sense prevailed and people really knew what they were sipping then I would suggest Macallan 21 or, Oban 21. If they are not too fussy about single Malt scotch then I suggest they try Thomas H Handy Sazerac or, if they are lucky order for a dram of Pappy Van Vinkle. Lucky because the original Weller recipe won't be out before middle of 2016. Btw I think amongst true Whiskey connoisseurs Bourbon is gaining big TIME.
Bells is a much better blended whisky than this and far cheaper.
