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
I have to say I had very high expectations of this whisky, but I feel that it falls quite short of the mark... This whisky looks good, it smells good but it just seems to be lacking something on the palate and finish. Personally, I prefer the Black and Green label from JW.
I have been given a litre of "Blue Label" as a gift and it is excellent, being Irish we spell our whiskey with an "e" (rather like the Americans). But will someone advise "The Americans" that it is an excellent ..blended whisky...and not a malt !!
I found this whisky fine but really nowhere near as good as a single malt you could buy for less than £50. It was very smooth and there were hints of complexity in the nose but the one word that springs to mind is 'thin'. It disappears in the mouth and doesn't have the finish you'd expect for the price and heritage.
Ultimate
Tried a sample of JW's premier blend. Yes, it was OK, indeed really smooth, but no special flavours or unique taste to my mind. I was underwhelmed. I am sure it has some very old and rare malts in the blend, and I am glad I tried it, but not worth over £100 a bottle for me. I'll stick with the JW Black if I want a blend, and spend the rest on some of the hundreds of other interesting malts on this site.
