Scotch

The Ultimate Review: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

$45

OVERALL
RATING

6

The Ultimate Review: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, relaunched in 2012, is a smooth, honeyed blended Scotch with Clynelish malt at its core.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
A premium blended scotch at a more approachable price, the Johnnie Walker Gold Label was relaunched in 2012 and has become a staple in their non age statement core line up. Built around Clynelish at the core this release can even be found in some supermarkets.
Appearance:
As you would expect, it has a very golden hue.
Nose:
The nose is very soft and gentle with some smoked peach crumble and rose water Turkish Delights. Very floral nose, wild flowers as well as plenty of warm honey. There is also a slight seaweed note found at the back.
Palate:
The texture is thin yet silky with honeydew melons and satsumas. Some oak bitterness with lots of caramel and vanilla sweetness with oily melted toffee sweets.
Finish:
A mid to long finish where some soft smooth smoke appears.
Comments:
A very mellow and easy sipping whisky where for me the nose is superior to the palete in terms of complexity and depth. Overall a very easy and inoffensive Johnnie Walker.

TL;DR

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, relaunched in 2012, is a smooth, honeyed blended Scotch with Clynelish malt at its core. Affordable luxury (£40/$45), it’s versatile for sipping or cocktails and praised for its silky texture, though some find it overly soft. Ideal for celebrations and mid-tier indulgence.

What Is Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve? 

Launched in 2012, Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is a no-age-statement (NAS) blended scotch whisky created by combining a selection of carefully aged single malt and grain whiskies from various distilleries across Scotland. The blending process aims to achieve a harmonious, honeyed, sweet flavor profile with a hint of smoke. It features a significant proportion of malt whisky from Clynelish Distillery, known for its unique character influenced by water sourced from gold-rich streams.

How Good Is Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve? 

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is regarded for its honeyed sweetness, a consistent profile that has garnered the expression numerous awards over the years. 

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In 2023, Gold Label won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Additionally, in 2022, the whisky won a Bronze Medal at the World Whiskies Awards in the Blended Whisky category. 

Reviews of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve trend towards positive across the board. More on this later. 

How Much Is Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve? 

Gold Label Reserve is widely available both in the U.S. and UK. You can track prices and find the best retailers by using The Whiskey Wash’s Compare Tool. 

Currently, you can pick up a bottle in the US for $45

In the UK, prices for a 70cl bottle start at around £40

Context Is Key 

Johnnie Walker Gold Label occupies a mid-tier position in Johnnie Walker’s range, with expressions such as Blue Label considered ultra-premium, and Black Label being a standard offering. 

Presented in a beautiful bottle with a gold theme carried throughout, the bottle stands out on the shelf and has an appearance of luxury. Yet, it remains accessible with a fairly low price tag. As such, Gold Label is aimed at those looking for a slightly more luxury experience than is offered by Black Label, but still wishes to drink a whisky that is accessible and offers a smooth-sipping experience. 

A strong analogy for Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is the Michael Kors Lexington Chronograph. Both are glamorous, stylish, and designed to shine in celebratory moments. The Lexington Chronograph is fashionable and luxurious without the price tag of a high-end Swiss watch, just as Gold Label Reserve offers a sweet, creamy, and indulgent profile without veering into premium single malt territory.

This whisky is for those who want to mark an occasion with something smooth and crowd-pleasing, a true party favorite.

What Do The Reviews Say?

Serge Valentin – WhiskyFun

Serge Valentin is the founder of WhiskyFun, a website on which he records his extensive tasting notes for various whiskies. Since the website’s establishment in 2002, Serge has become one of the most respected whisky reviewers in the world. 

Serge sampled the Gold Label Reserve soon after is release in 2012. He awarded the whisky 86 points out of 100, saying: “It’s another blend that seems to bear more peat and pepper. It’s less full than the Double Black in my opinion but the peatiness on the palate works very well.” 

Mackenzieob95 – Reddit

Mackenzieob95 on Reddit sampled the Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve in 2020. They awarded the expression 86 points which, according to their scoring criteria, means that the whisky is “Excellent. There’s always a bottle in my collection.” 

They commented: “Oh, it’s damn good. JW Gold upholds its reputation as a great choice for a special gift as well as a top-shelf bottle. The flavors are delicious and the nose is gorgeous. Everything is smooth and pleasant from start to end. It’s very clear that this blend was very carefully created. I will absolutely go out and grab a 750ml bottle of this one for special occasions!”

M – Whisky Unplugged 

A blogger that goes by the name ‘M’ wrote about their experience sampling Gold Label on whiskyunplugged.com. Whilst they did not give the whisky a score, they called the whisky “A soft sipper. Classic Johnnie Walker flavours delivered with a notably silky body, and on a noticeable step towards the Blue Label’s cream-like softness.”

Their verdict was that, “I don’t want it be that guy BUT this blend is all a bit too soft and indistinct for my liking. That’s not to bemoan it: I just think I found it almost too easy drinking. It certainly has its place in the market for those after a “smooth” whisky and with the Gold Label also adorned with many gold medals, that’s why the units keep on shifting!” 

How To Drink Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve

Upon its release, Johnnie Walker recommended enjoying Gold Label Reserve served chilled, either neat or over ice, to enhance its rich, smooth character. This serving suggestion was intended to highlight the whisky’s luxurious qualities, making it ideal for celebratory occasions. 

Additionally, its versatility allows it to be enjoyed in various cocktails, offering a refined experience whether sipped neat or mixed.

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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