TL;DR
Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old is a blended malt Scotch whisky crafted from four single malts—Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore, and Caol Ila. With no grain whisky and a 15-year age statement, it stands out in the Johnnie Walker range. It’s praised for introducing drinkers to peat and blended malts while offering excellent value. Reviews vary, with some celebrating its balance and accessibility, while others, particularly single malt purists, find it lacking complexity. Best enjoyed neat or with a splash of water, it’s a versatile whisky that bridges casual sipping and enthusiast exploration.
What Is Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old?
Johnnie Walker Green Label is a blended malt scotch whisky crafted from single malts sourced from four key distilleries: Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore, and Caol Ila, each of which is under Diageo’s portfolio. Unlike standard blends, it contains no grain whisky, making it a blended malt expression. Each malt is aged for at least 15 years, ensuring a depth of character and maturity.
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How Good Is Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old?
According to the Johnnie Walker website, Green Label is “considered by whisky experts and bartenders as the ‘hidden gem’ in the world of scotch.”
The expression has garnered awards including the title of World’s Best Blended Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in 2017. It has also been highly rated by respected reviewer, Jim Murray, who gave the whisky 95 points in his 2010 Whisky Bible.
How Much Is Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old?
The Whiskey Wash’s Compare Tool is a useful way to track prices for your favorite whiskies.
Currently, you can pick up a bottle of Johnnie Walker 15 Year Old for £38 in the UK.
In the U.S. you can buy a bottle to be shipped from the UK for around $56.
Context Is Key
Johnnie Walker Green Label is different from most of the brand’s range in that it is a blended malt whisky rather than a blended whisky. This means that single malt whiskies have been blended to create the expression – there is no grain whisky involved.
Additionally, there are far fewer component whiskies in this blend, as opposed to the 40 in Blue Label. As such, it presents a very different experience. Perhaps aimed at those who have dabbled in single malts. However, not necessarily aimed at single malt enthusiasts.
A strong analogy for Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old is the Oris Aquis Date watch. Both offer understated brilliance, combining quality and complexity at an accessible price point. The Green Label blends malt whiskies from four iconic regions, creating a balanced and nuanced experience, much like the Oris Aquis Date offers elegant craftsmanship without overstepping into excessive luxury.
What Do The Reviews Say?
Paul Bovis – Park Whiskey Society
Paul Bovis at Park Whiskey Society reviewed the whisky in 2022, saying: “Look, this isn’t a whisky that will take you to strange and bizzare new places. That is simply not what Johnnie Walker is all about. Instead, this bottle is a great introduction to peat and blended malts, the latter being a category everyone should explore more of these days. If you like what you taste here, I fully encourage you to explore Diageo’s regular distillery releases, but more importantly, the independent bottlings from those distilleries as well. You’ll find some hidden gems in there that will transform your scotch experience, believe you me!”
Drambling Man on Reddit, called the Green Label “an odd duckling out” in Johnnie Walker’s range, due to its malt whisky contents.
Rating it 85 out of 100 points, they said: “I like this dram, a lot. I picked this bottle up for less than 35 euro, and in return I got a 15-year-old blended malt. That’s a deal I will sign for any day. And the blending team did a great job at bringing us a truly delicious experience. It gives you on the palate exactly what it promises on the nose. That is neither a good nor a bad thing though. It does mean I feel like it lacks a little complexity for me to give it a very high rating, but it makes it a perfect sipping whisky. And thankfully it has a price tag that matches that. This is the perfect bottle to put out for a bbq with friends. And I think most people, whether beginner or true afficionado, won’t turn down a glass of Johnnie Walker Green Label.”
Now, this is the odd review out. Rating the Green Label a 2 out of 10, they said: “2/10 for us is “Avoid. A flat-line in liquid form.” Couldn’t have put it better myself. “Dull, difficult to find any positives.” That’s putting it diplomatically. But, “Avoid”? Am I recommending that you, fellow whisky botherer and Dramface reader, avoid this? Hell yes.”
However, at the start of the review, Dunmore freely admits that “Johnnie Walker Green Label is not really aimed at me.” He laments at the fact that single malts that he loves so much have been “murdered” in the blend. As such, this demonstrates pretty well that someone who is a single malt lovely, and particularly one who has such affinity for the distilleries that make up the whisky, might not find this as sippable as others.
The reality is that whisky is subjective, and that is a wonderful thing. If you’ve never sampled Johnnie Walker Green Label, give it a go! What’s the worst that can happen?
How To Drink Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old
Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Year Old is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to unlock its full array of flavors. Serving it at room temperature allows the intricate notes from its blend of single malts to shine.
For those who prefer a chilled dram, adding a single ice cube can subtly mellow the whisky without diluting its character. This approach caters to both whisky connoisseurs and casual drinkers, offering a versatile experience that highlights the craftsmanship of this distinguished blend.