The Ultimate Guide To Johnnie Walker Red Label

Johnnie Walker Red Label is the top-selling scotch whisky in the world. That is no mean feat. Amongst the blended whisky brand’s award-winning portfolio featuring the premium Johnnie Walker Blue Label and special editions such as the Double Black, Red Label has remained steadfast in the hearts of scotch drinkers around the world. 

Exploring the origins, cost, tasting notes, and serving suggestions, this is the ultimate guide to Johnnie Walker Red Label. 

What Is Johnnie Walker Red Label? 

Johnnie Walker Red Label is a blend of up to 35 scotch whiskies, sourced from across Scotland. Single malts and grain whiskies are expertly blended by the Johnnie Walker team to create the brand’s signature expression. Such whiskies include single malts from Cardhu, Caol Ila, and Teaninich. A high percentage of the grain whisky in the blend hails from Cameronbridge Distillery. 

The expression was first released in 1906 under the name ‘Walker’s Special Old Highland’. The expression ran alongside a whisky with a white label and one with a black label. As the whiskies were commonly referred to by the color of their labels, Johnnie Walker decided to implement a rebrand. As such, in 1909, ‘Walker’s Special Old Highland’ was renamed ‘Red Label’. The iconic Striding Man logo was introduced in the same year. 

Johnnie Walker Red Label does not carry an age statement and is bottled at 40% ABV. It is the entry-level expression in the brand’s portfolio, with the Blue Label considered the most premium in the core range. 

How Old Is Johnnie Walker Red Label? 

Johnnie Walker Red Label is a no-age-statement (NAS) whisky. This means that we do not know how old the whisky inside the bottle is. We do know, however, that the whisky is at least three years old, as this is a legal requirement in scotch whisky regulation. 

The rest, though, is a mystery. Theoretically, there could be a 50 year old whisky in a bottle of Red Label. Most likely, though, Red Label is comprised of very young scotch whisky as this would be the most cost-effective way to produce the expression. 

As the retail price for this whisky is so low (as you will read below), there is no incentive for Diageo to use expensive stock in the blend. Johnnie Walker Red Label is young, cheap, and cheerful. 

How Much Is A Bottle of Red Label? 

Much of Red Label’s popularity can surely be attributed to its accessible price point. You can purchase a bottle of Red Label in almost any country in the world, with the cost hovering around $20 per bottle. 

On Wine-Searcher, the average price for a 750ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label in the USA is $26. In the UK, you can buy a bottle for around £20 from almost any supermarket in the country. 

This is incredibly affordable, especially when you take into account the duty and taxes that must be paid by the manufacturer, as well as margins for retailers. The margin left for Diageo is very slight. 

Despite this, Diageo must know that a huge part of the whisky’s appeal is its affordability. 

What Does Johnnie Walker Red Label Taste Like? 

According to the brand’s website, Johnnie Walker Red Label presents aromas of “vibrant apple and citrus fruitiness, cinnamon, and pepper spice.” The palate is “sweet vanilla and creamy toffee,” with a “warming smoky finish.” 

In the interest of remaining objective, I asked one of our Scotland-based reviewers, Davis Gonnella, to tell me his thoughts on the Johnnie Walker Red Label: 

“Appearance: Golden Amber 

Nose: Grain forward, light citrus fruits, cereal, and oak 

Palate: I can certainly taste the Cardhu in here. Light green apples, fruity honey, and nuts (albeit slightly muted). It then develops into ripe pears and salty smoke before spicy dry oak and milk chocolate. 

Finish: Short. An extinguished fire with island smoke and salt.

Comments: The whisky is thin towards the end but longs for more. It would do well with another meaty whisky added to the fold, I believe. Something like a Glen Garioch or Lagavulin. Just a little something on the extra note which would create a longer-lasting finish.”

Is Johnnie Walker Red Label A Good Whisky? 

Johnnie Walker Red Label has been the top-selling blended scotch whisky in the world since 1945, even during the period between 1977 and 1983 when the expression was absent from the UK domestic market. That, I am sure you will agree is some achievement. 

So it seems that, objectively, the answer is yes. Johnnie Walker Red Label is a good whisky. However, whisky is, of course, completely subjective to the individual drinker and how they choose to enjoy a dram.  

Johnnie Walker Red Label does what it says on the tin. It is a cheap and accessible whisky. This has undoubtedly contributed to its success and popularity in the global market. But that does not necessarily mean that it is the best whisky you will ever taste, especially if you are something of a connoisseur. 

Diageo (the parent company of Johnnie Walker) asserts that Red Label is “made for mixing in exhilarating cocktails.” Of course, it can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. But, if you are looking for the complex profile of a well-aged single malt, an NAS blended scotch might not be right for you. 

With that being said, Johnnie Walker Red Label is still a multi-award-winning expression, with over 40 awards under its belt. In 2021, the expression won a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 

When all is said and done, it is subjective. If you enjoyed Red Label neat, then enjoy it neat! If you find it the perfect base for a Whisky Highball, then keep a bottle on your bar. 

How Is The Whisky Best Enjoyed? 

Speaking of Whisky Highballs, this is one of the serving suggestions promoted by Johnnie Walker on the brand’s website. They call it “The Johnnie Ginger”. Here is how they suggest you make the perfect serve: 

• Fill a tall glass with cubed ice 
• Add 25ml Johnnie Walker Red Label 
• Add ¼ shot of squeezed lime 
• Add 75ml ginger ale, or fill to the top
• Garnish with a slice of ginger and enjoy! 

You can enjoy Johnnie Walker neat, on the rocks, or in any whisky cocktail. The world is your oyster. 

The History of Johnnie Walker 

If you are looking for an in-depth history of the world’s most beloved scotch whisky brand, then head over to YouTube, where Mark is breaking down the history of Johnnie Walker in a multi-part series.  

Or, if you are interested in other Johnnie Walker expressions, check out 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Johnnie Walker Black Label and The Ultimate Guide To Johnnie Walker Blue Label.