Johnnie Walker is without doubt one of the most well-known whisky blends in the world, and for good reason; their whiskies never fail to offer not only good value for money, but indeed high quality regardless of price. For those of you who like to read a bit of distillery history with your review, I would recommend that you check out my review of the Johnnie Walker Black Label as I have presented what I could find there.
Now, the black label is one of the cheapest Johnnie Walkers and as such it also serves, along with the red label, as their standard expression – the one most people would go for if faced with a shelf of JW’s and not quite knowing what they’re after – and they won’t be disappointed. There is, however, a general consensus amongst whisky lovers that spending an extra £8-10 and upgrading to the Green Label is highly worthwhile doing, and I would most certainly agree. Indeed, my hopes were high when I finally got around to tasting the Green Label: with so many positive reviews floating around the internet already, and having achieved an outstanding 95-point score in Jim Murray’s 2010 Whisky Bible, how could they not be?
The nose is an instant classic; it seems almost a stereotype, hitting nearly all of the notes that a well-balanced whisky should hit, with there being pepper, a certain saltiness, fruits (both ripe, sweet citrus flesh and apples), some caramel sweetness, and just a touch of earthiness – all combined into a full, thick aroma. For a blended whisky costing under £30, this is a superb nose. The palate does not fail to live up to expectations either, and packs a healthy bit of spice along with a touch of smoke, and the citrus fruits are still very much present – though the apple has been replaced by a mixed bag of dried fruits. Add to that a spoonful of heather honey, some toffee and a couple of nuts and you’re home.
In short, then, the Johnnie Walker Green Label is a fantastically well-balanced blend and presents a wide range of both smells and flavours that both experienced whisky fanatics and those who have recently lost their whisky virginity are sure to enjoy.
Colour: White wine.
Nose: Peppery, slightly salty, ripe citrus flesh, apple, caramel, slightly earthy.
Palate: Spice, some smoke, citrus, dried fruits, heather honey, toffee, nuts.
JOHNNY WALKER GREEN LABEL – A FAREWELL
My fairest child, I have no song to give you;
No lark could pipe to skies so dull and grey:
Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you
For every day.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;
Do noble things, not dream them, all day long:
And so make life, death, and that vast for-ever
One grand, sweet song.
Charles Kingsley – A Farewell
By TheScotchLife.com
The news of Johnny Walker Green Label being discontinued shouldn’t upset too many people but I think it’s a little sad to lose the only label in the JW line that I recommended people try. Where else can you get a blended scotch of high quality (all Malt, no grain) scotch? I’m sure there are several but I’m not a blend guy, mainly single malts. When you drink a dram of Green Label you are drinking Talisker, Linkwood, Craganmore, and Caol Ila products at once. Quite an affordable blend and unique experience.
Efficiency and product trimming has evidently hit the JW line and the Green Label must be the weak link. If I had my way, I’d discontinue Blue….. So Diageo probably knows their market and this must seem like a good move on paper. They are evidently sponsoring a final “official” tasting that you can apply to be at on their Facebook page.
The first time I ever bought the Green Label was a few years back while in St. Thomas. The costs were supposedly lower, not sure about that, so I bought a bottle there. I think it’s a very drinkable dram, nothing extremely special but a good everyday or with guests that you don’t want to pull out the “good” stuff for. For myself, it’s just a bit of nostalgia that the brand is going away, so I may stock up for no good reason but to have a “rare” product one day.
If you are a regular Black label drinker and have not tried the Green, I would encourage you to try this one. Unlike your Black label, this one does not have any grain whisky in it. On top of that I’d say its finish is nicer and more complex. If you only drink Red label, please switch to Black!, and you too will notice a large difference in quality.
Cheers to you Green Label! And Farewell!
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