Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Blended Scotch Whisky | 40% ABV
Score: 5/10
Average.
TL;DR
Superficial, lacking and not for us, but it has its place
All that glitters is not gold
Even in the last decade of my whisky enthusiasm I have noticed the spectrum of whisky styles on the supermarket shelf rapidly expanding way beyond the old ‘bottom shelf’ blends. In 2025, there are blends on the top shelf too.
The demographic has widened: casuals to cocktail creators, collectors and connoisseurs and many more. Luckily there is a blended scotch whisky for you no matter what box marketing agencies (read: the man) want to stuff you into.
Personally, I would describe myself as a “casual enthusiast”, a “laid back lover of the liquid”, a “passionate dabbler” of all things Scotch and the wider whisky world. I bloody love the stuff. But find myself lacking the headspace to retain the beautiful science behind it all. Worts, mash, yeast strains all sound a bit “sexual health clinic” to my ears. Perhaps many of you are in the same boat; excited at the promise of every cork pop and whisky labradors excitedly wagging our tails at the shelves.
Well at least I hope it isn’t just me.
This enticement is why I happily set up camp in the “blend sphere”. Varying from £20 pretty pleasant pours, to wild flavour-fusions which can rack up a pretty penny. In my discoveries I would go as far as saying there is not just a whisky for everyone; and not even just a scotch for everyone; but a blended scotch for each and every one of us.
I am confident I could stun many single malt snobs with an amazing Turntable release and blow the bargain-hunters away with Cutty Sark Prohibition, as I keep trying to bring my “lager lad” pals into the light.
Though for every beautiful blend that clicks, we may have another five bottles that sink; either into the do not return pile or dare I say even straight into the sink. At least most blends tend to be more wallet friendly. So, it’s not too much of a gamble, right?
Wrong. Blends can find themselves all too easily crossing that velvet rope into the premium market which seems to be as happy welcoming new members as a Costco card. Sure, Macallans and Dalmores have been regulars, but we have seen firm favourites such as Glendronach, Talisker and Highland Park being deliberately pushed out of the reach of us plebs.
Yet there is no greater brand to show the full spectrum of categories, price points and marketing moves than the slanted striding man; the cash cow of Diageo: Johnnie Walker.
Something that us Dramfacers have only dipped our toe into so far, it seems enthusiasts tend to try Johnnie Walker Green Label 15yo first, followed by the Black Label 12yo. It was only very recently a mighty bashing of the budget Red Label was dished out by our own Mason Mack.
Both Johnnie Walker Red Label and 12 Year Old Black Label (and their numerous non travel-exclusive travel exclusives) are the cheaper entry points often found on our supermarket shelves. 15 Year Old Green Label and their slightly pricier Gold Label Reserve are their mid-priced range - but still often found under £50 here in the UK.
We then touch the pricier products: the surprisingly solid 18 year old release; followed by their ultimate premium product - a bottle so marketable that they have no less than seven different versions on their official website - Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
A Diageo flagship and the buoyant blue bottle which keeps the JW brand aspirational with a wild marketing budget and product placement. I mean how many shows can you think of where they celebrate with this blue tinted treat? Mad Men, Billions, Entourage - are just a few examples and of course all shows with a lean on luxury lifestyle.
Didn’t that make Blue Label super giftable? They release versions each year celebrating the Lunar New Year with multiple artist collaborations and even one in its own puffer jacket!
You can’t argue this bottle doesn’t have its place in the scotch spectrum, but is it for us enthusiasts?
We shall find out; though a hint would be that I didn’t purchase this with my own money. Fortunately this was “loaned” to me from a friend - sharing it as a wedding gift. Cheers Wicky, thanks for the hefty liquid wedge that was removed for these ‘scientific purposes’.
Review
Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Blended Scotch Whisky, 40% ABV
£170 typically and always available.
I have been fortunate to, either through samples, miniatures, sample swaps and more, have tried a good twenty different drams from the Johnnie Walker range. I was even surprised to count how many bottles have graced my shelves over the years. A gifted bottle from duty free of Johnnie Walker Explorers' Club Collection “The Adventurer” was a painful litre to get through. A highly forgettable bottle of Black Label - which I don’t even recall owning - and a couple of visits from the blended malt that is Green Label.
This review sees my fourth visit to the Blue Label. A kind 5cl sample shared in the early days; a hotel bar treat from a distant relative at a wedding; a surprise gifted miniature; and this bottle - which I may have bullied a colleague into ‘renting’ to me. Yes, the mooching powers are strong.
But I wanted a little time with it and I’m not gonna use my own money am I?
Score: 5/10
Average.
TL;DR
Superficial, lacking and not for us, but it has its place
Nose
Light cracked black pepper smoke rises from the glass first along with some soft fruits through a thin mist. A sweetness akin to artificial sweetener, or melted cheap chocolate, with some vanilla ice cream. There is a pleasant soft honey and floral note which floats above these subdued aromas. ‘Mildly pleasant’ would be fair.
Palate
My goal is to bring the word ‘smooth’ back to the lips of whisky drinkers and this whisky certainly fits the imagery. Not quite luxurious enough to be ‘silky’, and lacking the depth to be ‘velvety’, it is just your run-of-the-mill smooth.
A friendly, creamy, toffee note mixed in with slightly burnt coffee beans, combining a bit of sweet and bitter without leaning either way. While peat sometimes can pass my palate by, there is a thin waft of ashy smoke lingering at the back of the palate after each sip. I do find that there’s a slight ethanol hit, which comes as a surprise in this low ABV blend. A short finish of burnt fudge hangs around, but only briefly before quickly fading, leaving only the tiniest of dents in the memory banks.
The Dregs
I certainly couldn’t stand on my soapbox and say this is a bad whisky. If you hunt around you may discover the nuanced notes hiding in the mix; but let’s face it, that is not the aim of this bottle. It is not the perfect whisky; but for some it provides the illusion of a perfect whisky and that is enough, although, they could have made it an easier bottle to take photos of!
Will I break my bank and purchase a bottle of my own? Not likely. Would I turn down a dram offered to me? Again. Not likely.
After all; it is miles better than Johnnie Walker Red Label…
…but of course, miles costlier too.
Score: 5/10
Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below. GG
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