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.
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My son recently gifted me a bottle. As smooth a Scotch as you could want and otherwise unremarkable. It got to where I let my wife use it for her whiskey sours. Very disappointed, especially for the price in government-owned, full-price liquor store country. -1 Star given the price, even if you can buy it discounted.
Delivers the desired traditional complexity of flavors but then takes you beyond and into its own distinctive realm that may take you a while to fully appreciate. Try opening it up a bit with a few drops of water, but stay with this one - it's a JW classic.
Buy older batches
A shocking betrayal of what used to be great whisky. They used to knock Blue Label because they hadn't tried it. Now they can knock it because they have. It has changed beyond all recognition and is now tasteless and grain heavy. The grain is old because it is smooth and gives that mouth filling texture but it has no taste. I see this as a sad decline in the once fine Johnnie Walker brand.
Recently had a 50ml bottle given to me as a gift, and while it wasn't undrinkable, it didn't live up to the hype of being one of the best scotch whiskies available. Putting this against JW Gold or their Ultimate 18 I find that both are much more complex, have a better mouth feel, and have a richer taste than the fabled Blue Label. For the $200+ retail (in my area) for a 750ml bottle this just doesn't justify the price for what you get. I'd recommend the Green, Gold, or Ultimate 18 (the newest gold box version) if you want a complex and full bodied blend from Johnnie Walker - the Blue is only if you want to throw away more money than you should.
