Scotch

Whisky Review: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities of the Future London 2220

$250

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The Ultimate Review: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities of the Future London 2220

Name: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities of the Future London 2220: Complete Review
Item: Whisky Review: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities of the Future London 2220
Rating: 8
Author: Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities of the Future London 2220 edition features the same premium liquid as the regular Blue Label, renowned for its consistency and award-winning quality.

by Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery
December 11, 2024

Jeff, a UK-based whisky reviewer with a lighthearted approach.

Tasting Notes:

About:

Part of the limited edition Cities of the Future range, the classic Blue Label bottle has been restyled to show a utopian vision of the London skyline produced by digital artist Luke Halls. The liquid inside is the same premium focused blend as the regular Blue Label but a futurised look celebrating 200 years of Johnnie Walker.

Appearance:

The bottle retains the blue tinted thick glass but a revamped front label with a panoramic illustration of a futuristic London skyline covering the three sides. The liquid is artificially coloured to a rich copper with little beading when swirled in the glass.

Nose:

A sweet and soft note on first visit with florals, perfume and vanilla ice cream. There is a tiny hint of smoke which leans more towards an oak fire than the stereotypical TCP peat. The sweetness is more prominent with jelly crystals, green apples and a slight pepper spice.

Palate:

A thin silky texture carries a sweet salted dark chocolate and hazelnut spread on wholewheat slightly burnt toast. There is a green note to the mid palete ranging from wet grass to crunchy green apples bringing a fresh earthy note to the subtle smoke. Overall the flavours are on the subtle side but still engaging which brings some depth and complexity to this blend.

Finish:

A short finish which leaves a slightly drying, gentle oak fire smoke note in the back of the throat.

Comments:

When I first tried this whisky, I wasn’t aware that this was the same liquid to the classic blue label; however on reflection it is great to see some consistency in the notes with a product that strides to maintain the same quality across all their releases.

With this release it is not much more expensive than the regular Blue Label and adds a bit more excitement making it more of a collectors piece than a bottle to pour. If you are a fan of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, this could be one for your collection if you can still find one.

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.

TL;DR

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities of the Future London 2220 edition features the same premium liquid as the regular Blue Label, renowned for its consistency and award-winning quality. The difference lies in its futuristic packaging, a striking depiction of London’s skyline in 2220 by digital artist Luke Halls, making it a collector’s item. Ideal for fans of Blue Label seeking an elevated presentation or whisky enthusiasts drawn to its limited-edition appeal. At a slightly higher price point, it’s both a creative display piece and a nod to Johnnie Walker’s blend of heritage and innovation.

How Does the Cities of the Future London Edition Compare to Regular Johnnie Walker Blue Label?

The liquid in the Cities of the Future London Edition is identical to the regular Johnnie Walker Blue Label. This means you’re enjoying the same consistently remarkable whisky that has been a hallmark of Blue Label releases for decades. If you’re already a fan of the classic taste, this edition will not disappoint. The difference lies in the packaging: the London Edition offers a visually striking bottle and box, making it an excellent choice for collectors or those seeking an elevated presentation to accompany their drinking experience.

How Good Is Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Of The Future London 2220?

The Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Of The Future London 2220 contains exactly the same liquid as the standard Johnnie Walker Blue Label. As such, the reliable metric of awards is quite easy to use here.

As stated in our Johnnie Walker Blue Label review, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is consistently acclaimed, winning awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the International Wine & Spirit Competition, and the Monde Selection.

The difference between the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Of The Future and the standard Blue Label expression lies in the dynamic and futuristic packaging, which adds an air of luxury and collectibility to the bottle.

How Much Is Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Of The Future London 2220?

As these bottles are limited edition, and highly collectible for Johnnie Walker enthusiasts, they tend not to be plentiful at retail.

Currently, there is one bottle available at retail in the UK for £200. This bottle can also be shipped to the U.S. and retails at $250.

Context Is Key

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4. Credit: TAG Heuer

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Of The Future London 2220 is aimed at a very specific section of the market: collectors. With this limited-edition bottling, Johnnie Walker is very open about the fact that the whisky inside the bottle remains the same as the standard Blue Label expression. As such, it is the packaging and design elements that make the expression stand out. With numerous other bottles in the series, this is a Johnnie Walker collector’s dream.

Additionally, the futuristic design elements in the bottle expand its target audience to include, perhaps, younger scotch whisky fans who are not as married to the traditional Johnnie Walker packaging. The packaging also shows innovation on the part of Johnnie Walker – respecting the foundation of the brand whilst branching out in terms of design.

Returning to our ongoing watch analogies, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Of The Future London 2220 can be compared to the TAG Heuer Connected. Both combine tradition with cutting-edge design to appeal to a modern audience. The futuristic bottle design of London 2220 mirrors the innovative spirit of the TAG Connected, which merges the craftsmanship of a traditional watch with the technology of a smartwatch.

This whisky is a celebration of creativity and forward thinking, perfect for those who value both heritage and innovation.

What Do The Reviews Say?

As this whisky is the same as Johnnie Walker Blue Label, you can pretty confidently use reviews of that expression to see what drinkers make of Cities Of The Future London 2220.

Of course, Johnnie Walker Blue Label varies slightly from batch to batch. However, as noted above, there is a remarkable consistency between the bottlings.

So, if you are interested in the prevailing opinions surrounding the Johnnie Walker Blue Label, read our Ultimate Review here.

How To Drink Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cities Of The Future London 2220

The question here, is, should you drink it at all? Well, that is up to you.

We are proponents of trying Johnnie Walker Blue Label at least once in your life. However, if the collectability of the bottle is important to you, then you might wish to keep the seal intact.

With that being said, if you are not planning on collecting the whiskies, this bottle does not cost much more than the standard Blue Label, so go ahead and crack it open.

Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery

Based in the South West of the UK, Jeff brings an irreverent and laid-back approach to whisky reviewing, dispelling any notions of snobbery surrounding the spirit. With a genuine enthusiasm for exceptional drams, he often embraces the whimsical side of whisky. Jeff's tongue-in-cheek whisky content has earned him recognition in the Malt Whisky Yearbook, and he has contributed articles and reviews to numerous whisky platforms.

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