Johnnie Walker Red Label

ReviewsScotchJohnnie WalkerBlended Scotch

Jan 25

This is Johnnie Walker’s entry-level release. Arguably its oldest product, Red Label is a competitor with Chivas Regal 12 Year Old and other entry-level blends, and is also notably non-age-stated. Not all Johnnie Walkers state their age - consider that the iconic Blue Label does not - but it is notable only because the two or three products above Red Label - the Black, Double Black, and Green - are all age-stated at 12 or 15 years.

Age statement notwithstanding, Johnnie Walker Red Label is drinkable on its own, but in my mind is really more of a mixing Scotch. It’s not bad by any means, it’s more that Johnnie Walker Black Label, for $10 more, delivers considerably more bang for your buck. If you’re looking for a simple dram that will add a bit of malt and smoke to your cocktail, then Red Label is a great place to start.

Johnnie Walker Red Label: Specs

Classification: Blended Scotch Whisky

Origin: Johnnie Walker

Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley

Proof: 80 (40% ABV)

Age: NAS

Location: Scotland

Johnnie Walker Red Label Price: $23 (MSRP)

Official Website

Johnnie Walker Red Label Review: Tasting Notes

Eye: Coppered gold, thick rims that hold with syrupy legs.

Nose: Light smoke with underlying malt sweetness. Some sherry-like background notes (not known to be sherry-finished or include sherry-finished malt, but could be some sherry-like fruits).

Palate: Smoky spice up front like a sweet smoked meat (smoked ham?) Grain notes come after and go straight up my nose and coat the top palate. Basic in many ways - no burn anywhere. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, not coating, and just slightly drying.

Finish: Long, with sweet smoke sticking around.

Overall: It’s fine, and it is what it is - a simple, entry-level blended Scotch. Nothing stands out as bad or extraordinary.

Final Rating: 5.3

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)