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One of the most popular brands of blended scotch, known among connoisseurs as the “king of whiskey”, combines more than a dozen varieties of malt spirits. Among them are budget young drinks, elite aged products and alcohol of the middle price category.
Different versions differ not only in cost and taste, but also in the “color code” reflected in the name and design of the bottle. The most affordable category is Red Label (about $25), Black Label and Green Label are a bit more expensive.
A real gem in terms of price and quality is the Blue Label line: you will have to spend at least a couple of hundred dollars on it. At least two hundred million bottles are sold annually under the recognizable Johnny Walker brand, and the logo with a proudly marching dandy and the slogan “Keep walking” is familiar even to people who have never tried whiskey.
History of Johnny Walker
The first step towards creating a popular scotch was the opening of a small grocery store in the city of Kilmarnock. Prior to this, the Walker family was fed by farming, but after the death of his father in 1819, the energetic representative of the Johnny family decided to try his luck in trade. He sold the farm and set up his own business with the proceeds.
Things were going well: John showed a natural gift for entrepreneurship. Among other goods in the shop, a simple ordinary whiskey was sold. The quality of single malt scotch was not particularly satisfactory for the newly minted businessman, and at some point he tried mixing drinks. The experimental blends coming out of the hands of a talented guy turned out to be so good that they became extremely popular among buyers.
When John died in 1857, having lived a full and prosperous life, his son Alexander inherited a thriving business named after the founder of “John Walker”. The further development of the family business was facilitated by the industrial revolution that raged in England, thanks to which a railway appeared in Kilmarnock.
Being a worthy son of an enterprising father, Alexander took advantage of a good moment and organized the production of a commercial blend of Old Highland Whiskey. To distribute the drink, the Scottish businessman attracted the captains of the ships that delivered the new product to different parts of the world.
Shortly thereafter, Alexander designed the famous shatter-resistant square bottle and the ingenious slanted label that distinguished Johnny Walker products from other spirits. Successful innovations have survived and are present to this day in the design of the legendary adhesive tape.
A strong bottle reliably protects the drink from loss during long journeys, and a label glued at an angle of 24 degrees attracts attention and allows you to place more useful information for buyers.
In 1889, after the death of Alexander, the family company passed into the hands of his sons, George and Alexander Jr., who glorified the Johnnie Walker brand throughout the world.
In 1893, the brothers acquired the Cardhu distillery to produce spirits for their own blends.
In 1909, the famous “Red Label” and “Black Label” were created. Around the same time, promising young illustrator Tom Brown sketched the legendary logo on the back of the menu during lunch. The Walker brothers approved the idea of a “walking man with a cane” immediately. In one fell swoop, John Walker, the Victorian grocer, became Johnny Walker, the Edwardian dandy.
By 1920, the brand’s drinks were already sold in 120 countries.
In 1934, the company’s merits were recognized by George V, who issued a warrant to John Walker & Sons to supply whiskey to the royal table.
The brand is currently owned by the alcohol giant Diageo.
Types of Johnny Walker
Johnnie Walker Red Label
The brand’s most popular scotch variant, first released in 1909.
The standard blend is based on 30 bright grain and malt spirits from different regions of Scotland: light eastern and powerful peaty from the west. The aroma is dominated by citrus tones of elegant Speyside and Highland whiskey.
In a deep, balanced taste, spicy notes of cinnamon are combined with the sharpness of black pepper, which are replaced by a long smoky vanilla aftertaste.
Good both in pure form and in cocktails.
Johnnie Walker Black Label
The reference blend of the “Deluxe” series with a smooth, deep character. Made from grain and single malt spirits aged for at least 12 years.
The aroma of an outstanding whiskey contains tones of dark tropical fruits, oak and sweet vanilla. The multi-dimensional taste is revealed gradually, enticing with light creamy notes of iris and warming with a warm smoke plume.
In terms of serving, it is universal: you can taste it solo, with ice, soda, as part of cocktails.
Johnnie WalkerDoubleBlack
A full-bodied whiskey with an intense smoky character, based on the iconic “black label”, aged in heavily charred barrels.
The aroma is dominated by hints of sweet smoke and cloves.
The taste is intensely peaty with notes of raisins, fresh apples, spices, orange and creamy vanilla.
The finish is long, warming, with a powerful smoky-spicy accent.
Johnnie Walker Green Lable
Perfectly balanced blend. Made from a blend of Speyside, Highland, Lowland and Islander malt spirits.
Each component is aged for at least 15 years in European and American oak barrels.
The bouquet combines intense aromas of crispy cut grass, fresh fruit, hot pepper, vanilla and sandalwood.
The palate is dominated by deep woody and light floral notes, turning into a signature smoky plume with notes of peat and sea salt.
Johnnie Walker Island Green
One of the variations of the previous drink, created from single malt spirits. The blend is dominated by “island” components, in particular Caol Ila whiskey. The drink differs from the original in a more pronounced smokiness.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
Luxurious and smooth whiskey with notes of vanilla and tropical fruits, born from the harmonious partnership of Speyside and Highland spirits, and a slight aftertaste of the embers of the west coast.
Notes of honey, creamy sweetness, subtle woody shades coexist in the aroma.
Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years
The drink, which stands alone in the color range, is a blend of 18 different spirits from all regions of Scotland.
Most of the ingredients are carefully selected aged 18 year old single malts.
The balanced bouquet contains notes of toffee and caramel, fragrant almonds, warm vanilla, tropical tangerines.
The long aftertaste pleases with hints of dark chocolate, citrus zest and enveloping smoke.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
The main masterpiece of the collection, consisting of the most exquisite and rare varieties of Speyside and Highland Scotch whiskey.
Includes delicate spirits “Cardhu” and “Clynelish”, warm “Benrinnes”, Islay malt with characteristic smoky notes.
To create an exceptional drink, the contents of only one of 10 thousand barrels are suitable.
Aroma: soft, round, smoky raisin.
Taste: velvety, with vanilla-honey notes, hints of rose petals, nuts, orange peel, sherry and chocolate. Finish: Luxurious, rich, long-lasting, with a smoky finish.
In addition to these products, the company produces limited editions of special drinks, pocket size scotch tapes, and exclusive designer blends under the John Walker & Sons brand.
How to spot a fake johnny walker
The most common object of falsification is the popular Red Label tape. It is the simplest in terms of taste and design. Also, the Black Label is often forged, but the facts of copying the Blue Label have not yet been recorded. When buying a famous whiskey, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
Cover type
In the original drink, it is puffy, slightly convex in the middle, similar to a small barrel, but not a vodka twist.
On the side should be the inscription “John Walker & Sons”. After removing the cap, a narrow ring remains on the bottle; on fakes, the lower rim is wide.
Label features
It must be of high quality, without traces of glue, smeared inscriptions. The real “Johnny” has a embossed label pasted at a certain angle (24°).
Bottle characteristics
A corporate vessel must have a three-dimensional logo with a walking man. It may vary slightly on different types of drink, but should protrude directly from the glass and not be painted or glued on.
whiskey consistency
Real Scotch tape is oily, thick, without signs of turbidity or sediment, when shaken it forms large bubbles that do not disappear for a long time, flows slowly along the walls.
Finally, it will not be superfluous to make sure that there is an excise stamp and that there is information about the batch and the date of bottling, laser-etched on the bottom of the bottle.
Interesting Facts
- The walking man logo was not chosen by chance. It contains a reference to the name of the creator of the brand: “Walker” is translated from English as “walking”. In 2015, the picture was slightly changed, but the idea itself was preserved.
- In the mid-2010s, the fashion shoe brand Oliver Sweeney delighted fans of the famous Scotch with original calfskin boots, in the heels of which a real miniature bottle of Red Label whiskey fit. The initials “JW” are embroidered on the heel of each pair.
- Among connoisseurs of “Johnnie Walker” there are many celebrities. At one time, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was fond of the legendary scotch.
Most of all, he loved Black Label whiskey, in honor of which he even created a painting called Bottleneck. According to legend, the painting adorned the family estate for a long time until it was sold at auction for several hundred thousand dollars. Of the modern politicians, the brand’s drinks are highly appreciated by the American ex-Vice President Dick Cheney.
How much does Johnnie Walker whiskey cost?
Since many Johnnie Walker scotch are aged versions, they can be attributed to the premium segment of alcoholic beverages. But there are also quite affordable whiskeys in the line.
The most budget option is Johnnie Walker Red Label, which costs 20-30 euro for a volume of 0.5. You can start your acquaintance with the brand with a small bottle of 375 ml, its price is 13-15 euro.
Other drinks from Johnnie Walker are more expensive. Black Label costs about 30-35 euro per 0.5 liter. The price of a “double” Black Label is 50-65 euro per 0.7 l. White Walker is about the same price category. A 15 year old Johnnie Walker with a green label costs about 65-75 euro for 0.7, and an 18-year-old in the same amount – about 120 euro. The price of whiskey with a gold label reaches 75 euro for 0.7 l.
Blue Label is the most expensive in the “color” collection. It costs about 230-260 euro.
12-year-old adhesive tapes from the Origins series cost about 50 euro for a liter bottle. And the price of the limited Song of Ice and Song of Fire in the amount of 0.7 liters is about 47 euro.
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