This is the latest innovation inspired by Johnnie Walker Black Label. Johnnie Walker Black Ruby explores the rich depth of sweetness and fruitiness in the blended whisky brand. The blend has whiskies from Roseisle Distillery at its heart, while also including whiskies from distilleries across Scotland. Highland distilleries such as Clynelish, Lowland distilleries such as Glenkinchie and Cameronbridge, Cardhu from Speyside and Caol Ila on the island of Islay. Whisky from each distillery is chosen to bring its own specific character to the complexity of the blend.
Carefully selected whiskies from Clynelish create a rich creamy taste, Glenkinchie and Cameronbridge bring delicate vanilla notes and sweet fruitiness. Cardhu charge this whisky with notes of red apples and berries while Caol Ila delivers a delicate sweet smoky note. Black Ruby is the first new whisky in the Johnnie Walker Black collection from Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker and her dedicated team of whisky makers since she assumed the role of Master Blender in early 2022.
At the heart of Johnnie Walker Black Ruby is an expression from the boldly progressive distillery of Roseisle. Its sweet red berry notes and light, delicate green grass character are driven by our newest and one of our most innovative Single Malt distilleries. The team and I experimented with different distillation techniques at Roseisle, eventually focusing on a uniquely fruity distillate. This experimental whisky-making involved running fermentation for longer than usual to create amplified fruity notes.
Dr. Emma Walker – Johnnie Walker Master Blender
The Johnnie Walker range of blends is recognisable all over the world and is the biggest selling of any Scotch brand. It has also become a cultural icon. The Black Label was first introduced in 1909 and has remained within the core range ever since. It was part of a brand expansion that saw Walker’s original Old Highland Blend evolve in to Red Label and Black Label, plus the now-defunct White Label. The names referring to the colours of labels that helped to differentiate the whiskies for consumers.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby is bottled at 40% ABV and is available in markets around the world over the coming weeks and months. You can pick up a bottle across Europe from malts.com. It is due in the UK this autumn. A bottle should cost £35/ €39.
Our Tasting Notes
This deeply ruby red coloured whisky is vibrantly fruity with a classic Johnnie Walker character of orchard fruit, malt, a hint of sweetness, and that wrapping of smoke. On the nose there are lashings of hedgerow fruits and berries in the form of rosehip cordial, raspberry jam (or Australian raspberry cordial if that is something you have experienced), brambles, fruit of the forest berries and a hint of pomegranate syrup.
There is a sweet maltiness which pairs remarkably well with the sweet vanilla notes. And of course red toffee apples, which are so often a Johnnie Walker signature. All of this is wrapped up in a soft gentle smoke. It is a sweet bonfire smoke with a hint of burnt biscuit and barbeque charcoal.
On the palate this whisky has a delicate sweetness. The fruity notes are the first thing you notice. Both red apples and hedgerow fruits, especially redcurrant and rosehip. There is a buttery fudge sweetness, plus some honey and butterscotch sauce. Alongside is bittersweet maltiness like a bedtime malt drink. Then the big hit of bonfire smoke hits you. It is a sweet smoke but it is an undeniable hit. There is a savoury herbal flavour, which is somewhere between tobacco and dried mint.
The smokiness becomes gentler as it lingers on the finish. It wraps itself around all other flavours and brings them together. Matched with those red berries which are both fresh and confected at the same time. This gives real depth of flavour, but sweet and ever so slightly sour. The leafy herbal character lingers on in tandem. The finish is really quite something else. It stays with you, and then stays some more.
What’s The Verdict?
This whisky has all the trademarks of a classic Johnnie Walker, so any fans will undeniably find this delicious. But it has a twist. The extra rich red berries add so much depth yet at the same time make this whisky feel more approachable than its heritage sibling. And it offers a lot of whisky for your money.
Johnnie Walker themselves have published a roll-call of cocktails this whisky will work well with. From a fizz to a bramble negroni there is a notable focus on rich berries and making fresher styles of classic drinks. But also a diverse range, which hints as some real flexibility on how you can drink this delicious whisky. It is one we will be keeping stocked in the whisky cupboard. That said, it is also great when sipped neat.
