Scotch

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby

$45

OVERALL
RATING

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Review

Name: Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Review
Item: Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
Rating: 7
Author: Phil Dwyer

Is Johnnie Walker Black Ruby the fruity twist whisky enthusiasts have been waiting for? Dive into this intriguing blend's unique profile and discover its allure.

by Phil Dwyer
October 22, 2025

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer, YouTuber, and former manager of The Whisky Shop Manchester, UK.

Tasting Notes:

About:

A modern twist on a classic, this is Johnnie Walker Black Ruby. A classic style of Black Label with a fruity, rich twist. Matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels, along with classic bourbon and red wine seasoned casks, this is a richer, fruitier style of Black Label that can be drank neat, used in mixed drinks or served as the key part of a cocktail.

Appearance:

Dark orange with a ruby hue.

Nose:

Strawberry and raspberry chocolates, very grassy, decent hits of vanilla and ex-bourbon charred caramel. There is a very nice note of smoked honey that has some welcome bitter notes of cranberry, strawberry coulis and a tang of balsamic vinegar. The grain whisky is as prominent as it is in the regular Johnnie Walker Black Label, but the fruitiness of this pushes that almost crunchy honeycomb notes from the grain whisky.

Palate:

Decent smoky arrival with loads of rich dark chocolate, raspberry sauce, and you still get that crunchy honeycomb and creamy milk chocolate notes from the aroma.

The red fruit notes are so present that it’s hard to not talk about them in abundance. The raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, red currant notes – they all skip between sweet and bitter to tart in very pleasant ways.

Over time, but not straight away, you do get those classic Oloroso and PX (Pedro Ximenez) notes of sticky raisins and chewy dates. The wine casks seem to be adding that tarter profile that can sometimes move into very wood driven, that masks the sweetness of the two sherry influences.

Finish:

Sweet, spicy and very welcoming. There’s a nice baked good, cinnamon warmth to this product that adds another element on top of what is already a great whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label. There is still a pleasant bitterness from both cask influences and the smoke element, too. I haven’t spoke much about that but it’s a slight style of smoke with some gentle ashy notes that round out a decent amount of the sweetness.

Comments:

I think is a fairly decent whisky. It’s already been on offer in a lot of supermarkets, but for the RRP of £39, it isn’t a tough buy if you like the Johnnie Walker brand and are a fan of Black Label. It has a very different profile to everything in the regular Johnnie Walker range, not including some of the more limited releases that are available.

I don’t think it’s better than the regular Black Label, but I can see how this would totally intrigue whisky drinkers who are looking for additional sweetness as well as some very welcome complexity, too.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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