Johnnie Walker Black Label didn’t just achieve global success through great marketing. It is a genuinely tasty whisky that ticks so many boxes. Bringing together flavours from across Scotland with a solid age statement, it’s a fabulous house pour to have on hand.
But if you’ve already enjoyed your fair share and are looking to branch out, here are five whiskies that capture some of Black Label’s best qualities while offering a fresh perspective.
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
When people first hear about Bunnahabhain, it’s often misunderstood. “Who would want an unpeated Islay whisky?” The answer is: plenty of people, because it’s quite spectacular.
While Bunnahabhain does produce peated spirit, it’s best known for its sherried, unpeated style that still carries the salty, coastal character of Islay, but with a distinctive twist. Think of it like sea salt mixed with chocolate. Sweet and savoury notes working in harmony.
The 12 Year Old might not have the smoky punch of other Islay whiskies, but its subtleties are exactly what make it shine. Much like Johnnie Walker Black Label, it offers layers of flavour that shift and evolve with every sip.
Caol Ila Distiller’s Edition
Caol Ila has long been a hidden gem in Diageo’s extensive portfolio. This Distiller’s Edition is a medium-peated Islay whisky finished in Moscatel wine casks, a pairing that feels like it was meant to be.
Caol Ila features prominently in Johnnie Walker blends, both in peated and unpeated forms. Here, though, the Moscatel finish adds a layer of sweetness that plays beautifully with the smoke. Imagine salted caramel ice cream enjoyed by a bonfire on the beach. That’s the vibe.
It may not be rare or bottled at a high strength, but this whisky shows Caol Ila at its best: smoky, balanced, and quietly brilliant.
Trending Content
Kilkerran 12 Year Old
Campbeltown had to be represented here, not least because Diageo and Johnnie Walker have no distilleries in the region. Still, whiskies from this corner of Scotland often deliver the same “all of Scotland in one glass” character that makes Black Label so appealing.
Kilkerran comes from Glengyle Distillery, owned by the same family behind Springbank. Though relatively new, its 12 Year Old has already become a reliable staple. It’s a lightly peated whisky with that unmistakable Campbeltown “funk” of sea salt, gentle smoke, and excellent cask influence.
The Kilkerran 12 Year Old stands as a worthy single malt alternative to Black Label. Try it once, and you’ll see why.
Benromach 10 Year Old
A personal favourite, Benromach 10 Year Old is a Speyside whisky that hits all the right notes for Black Label fans. Matured in first-fill sherry and bourbon casks, it offers layers of vanilla, raisin, caramel, and biscuit, then surprises with a delicate wisp of peat smoke.
Peated Speyside whiskies are less unusual today than they once were, but Benromach has perfected the style. The smoke here is peppery and subtle, elevating the richness of the underlying spirit rather than overpowering it.
From years of recommending whiskies to customers, this is one that consistently satisfies. It offers a little bit of everything without ever feeling muddled.
SMWS “Fife Peaty Potion”
A newer addition to the whisky world, this bottling is available exclusively to Scotch Malt Whisky Society members. Fortunately, I am one, and it’s too good not to share.
Distilled in Fife, this is a blend of peated and unpeated malt from the same distillery, matured in bourbon casks before an 18-month finish in first-fill Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks. The result is pure autumn in a glass.
It opens with sweet, smoky aromas before developing into sticky apricot and baked apple. The finish is bold and lingering, full of chewy, ashy smoke, caramelised nuts, and even a touch of industrial “old workshop” character.
Think of it as Black Label with the dial cranked up to eleven. Fun, affordable, and full of personality.
Final Thoughts
Johnnie Walker Black Label is beloved for its balance, versatility, and ability to showcase the breadth of Scotch whisky. Each of the alternatives above offers that same sense of discovery, while also carving out its own distinctive identity.
Whether you lean towards sherried richness, smoky sweetness, or coastal saltiness, there’s a bottle here that can extend your Black Label journey in exciting new directions.
What is your go-to Black Label alternative? Let us know in the comments.
