How to Tell the Difference Between Johnnie Walker Scotch Blends

The enjoyment of Johnnie Walker blends of scotch is closely followed by the sheer pleasure of buying them for others. That said, it can be quite difficult to discern what blend will be suitable for friends and family. The blends that Johnnie Walker offers are Red Label, Black Label, Green Label, Gold Label and Blue Label.

Luckily, this quick primer will shed some light on the world's best selling scotch brand. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a rocks glass
• ice (if you prefer to drink with it)
• a splash of water (if you prefer to drink with it)
• Johnnie Walker scotch

1. 
   Red label

   Buy Johnnie Walker Red Label. This lower end (and cheapest) version of Johnnie Walker scotch is extremely distinctive and boasts exuberant flavor. The powerful combination boasts spicy, smoky malts (Talisker) and lingering lighter grains. Robust qualities. This perfect "everyday" scotch is perfect for mixing with a little soda.
   
   In 1996, this blend won a Gold Medal in the International Wine and Spirit Competition in the blended Scotch Whiskey category.

2. 
   Black Label

   Buy Johnnie Walker Black label. The label's best-selling scotch boasts superior depth and complexity beholding a smokier, fuller flavor than other deluxe blends. Its distinctive character stems from its use of a remarkably diverse range of 12-year old malts, drawn from over 700 casks. One whisky in particular, Cardhu, was considered so vital that the Walker family bought the distillery in 1893 so that its characteristic silkiness would lie at the heart of the blend. Other notes include vivid tastes of peat, tobacco leaf, malt, and ripe apple.

3. 
   Green Label

   Buy Johnnie Walker Green label. Quite rare up until recently, this scotch's flavors are well-integrated. The drinker will find creamy toffee and nougat at its core, which is then layered with notes of vanilla, mint, fresh brine. Some may even taste a hint of mustard seed. Excitingly fresh and vibrant on the finish. A scotch for both the blend and single malt drinker.

4. 
   Gold Label

   Buy Johnnie Walker Gold label. A tad more upscale, this particular blend boasts a smoky, caramel and vanilla aroma and a creamy, honeyed taste. This supremely scotch finishes with a light and lingering spiciness. It's unique character comes from an alchemical blending of 15 whiskeys, each aged at least 18 years, at the heart of which is Clynelish, the rare Highland malt whisky made from spring water that flows over veins of pure gold.

5. 
   Blue Label

   Buy Johnnie Walker Blue label. This high end scotch is considered to be the distiller's highest end spirit and is the oldest and rarest of Scotland’s whiskeys. It's well-balanced with a long finish, deep smokiness and creaminess on the palate with traces of smoke, honey, rose petals and hints of toffee. Each bottle is individually numbered for retail and comes in a satin-lined box.

Tips & Warnings

• While some may prefer ice with scotch, it should be avoided since it neutralizes and kills almost all the aromas in the whiskey.
• Adding a drop of fresh water will open up new horizons and provoke a chemical reaction, freeing the fragrances.
• Drinking to excess damages the liver, the heart and brain. It also causes mental retardation in fetuses. If you are pregnant or suspect you are, don't drink.

Resources

• Whisky Magazine
• ScotchWhisky.net
• Johnnie Walker