My relationship with Johnnie Walker has always been a good one. When I first started working in retail, there was a huge wall filled with their products, and I had to quickly learn the differences between them all. As a result, I have tasted and re-tasted almost every whisky in the Johnnie Walker range. Now, I know them quite well.
I’ve since moved away from many of these bottles, and my opinions have changed quite a bit since the last time we published a ranking like this. Some for the better, and sadly, some for the worse.
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So, here is my most up-to-date ranking of the Johnnie Walker range. Let me know if you agree in the comments below.
#9. Black Ruby, 40%, £34/$42
One of the newer releases on the market, and I have to say it fell quite flat for me. A presumably younger take on Black Label with red wine and sherry influences sounds great in theory. In practice, it comes across as a little confused.
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There is sweetness from red fruits and a touch of sherry tang, but it’s masked by quite an overbearing grain whisky character that throws the balance off, in my opinion.
#8. Double Black, 40%, £37/$29
It turns out I’m not a fan of variations on Black Label. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
When I first tried this, I thought it was a great idea. Something smokier, but also sweeter, to help consumers ease into peated whisky.
The issue now is the price. At almost the same level as Green Label in the UK, it feels flat and thin by comparison. It comes across as an equally priced but poorer product.
#7. Red Label, 40%, £19/$18
Let’s not pretend Red Label is incredible; it isn’t. That said, I recently bought a bottle and wasn’t as underwhelmed as I expected. It’s a perfectly pleasant whisky.
It’s worth remembering that it was designed as a mixing product, and that hasn’t really changed. There are soft notes of vanilla and caramel, and it’s something I’ve warmed to over the past few weeks.
It has a reputation for being terrible, but I honestly think it’s better than some more expensive NAS releases on this list.
#6. Gold Label, 40%, £40/$45
I used to love the old Gold Label 18 Year Old; it was an excellent blended whisky. Then Gold Label became NAS, Platinum Label took on the 18-year-old role, and now Platinum is simply called 18 Year Old.
A slightly confusing bit of brand evolution. In its current form, Gold Label has always felt like a let-down. It’s probably the least interesting of the original core range. Red Label has its faults, but at least it’s distinctive. Gold Label just plods along.
The versions with the heavy gold paint don’t help either. They make it feel cheaper than it should. It’s soft and sweet, but lacks any real point of interest.
#5. Blue Label, 40%, £175/$190
If I could drink Blue Label every day, would I? Probably. As a whisky in a premium bottle and box, it’s very good. You get subtle notes of smoke, spice, and sweetness, and the skill required to balance the many casks involved is impressive.
However, despite the marketing, it doesn’t appeal to me as much as it once did. Give me £200 and ask me to buy whisky, and the chances of me choosing this are very slim. It feels lacking compared to some other premium blends, including those from Compass Box.
It’s an icon, no doubt, but on a personal level, it no longer excites me.
#4. Johnnie Walker King George V, 43%, £480/$590
This used to be a more consistent release, but now appears in various limited editions. The original bottling, released to celebrate the Royal Warrant, was exceptional. Yes, it’s significantly more expensive than most of the range, but it delivers.
There are layers of soft smoke, honey, pear, pineapple, and a rich, creamy fudge note. With components including Lochnagar, Cardhu, Port Ellen, Cambus, and various Singleton expressions, it’s genuinely better than many premium ‘old’ blends. It is, however, priced accordingly.
#3. Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old, 40%, £75/$77
This is where things get really interesting. Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old might be one of the best ‘old’ blends currently on the market.
With malts from Blair Athol, Clynelish, Cardhu, Caol Ila, and others, all at a minimum of 18 years old, it delivers a silky, elegant, and layered profile.
I bought a bottle last year, admittedly on sale, but even at full retail price, it stands up. This is what I want from an older, more premium blend.
#2. Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old, 43%, £45/$58
A standout. Do you remember when they discontinued this, only to bring it back due to demand?
Green Label has always been the outlier in the range. A blended malt featuring Caol Ila, Linkwood, Talisker, and Cragganmore, it offers a distinct texture and spice. Talisker and Caol Ila bring soft salinity, while Linkwood and Cragganmore add ginger, lemon zest, and a creamy mouthfeel.
It’s a well-priced, characterful whisky that deserves the attention it gets.
#1. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old, 40%, £24/$20
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Trying to beat Black Label at this price point is almost impossible. It’s affordable, widely available, and draws from distilleries across Scotland.
You get sweetness from unpeated malts balanced with gentle smoke from the west coast. Everything is at least 12 years old, and it delivers consistency every time. I buy four or five bottles a year to share with friends and family. It’s a whisky you can either analyse or simply enjoy.
Would I like to see a higher strength version? Absolutely. Will it happen? Probably not. Either way, I’m more than happy with it.
Overall
Looking back at this list, it’s clear I’m disappointed by several current releases in the Johnnie Walker range. Some feel confused, others don’t offer enough value for what they are. Gold Label stands out here; it could be so much better at that price point.
Black Label and Green Label remain staples in my home, as they are for many others. The 18 Year Old appears more occasionally, while Red Label was a genuine surprise when I realised it’s not quite as bad as its reputation suggests.
Things change over time, and it’s worth remembering that whisky is a batch product. Some batches will always be better than others.
