The Johnnie Walker Green Label sits in the middle of the core range of the famous Scotch whisky brand. It is joined by Red Label, Black Label, Gold Label and Blue Label. It is often referred to as ‘the black sheep of the family’. This is due to not being a traditional Scotch blend like its siblings. Green Label is a blended malt, meaning only single malts are used to create it. Just four are used in this case. They are Cragganmore and Linkwood from Speyside, Caol Ila from Islay and Talisker from the Isle of Skye. All are aged for a minimum of 15 years.
The Johnnie Walker Green Label was first introduced to the core range in 1997. It was named as Pure Malt, due to the fact that the whisky only contained single malts and no single grain. It was renamed as Green Label in 2004. Due to a lack of correctly aged core single malts, it was discontinued in 2012. Green Label would reappear using the original recipe four years later in 2016. The only market where it was on sale during this period was Taiwan.
The whisky brand is named after John Walker. He owned a grocery shop in the Ayrshire town of Kilmarnock in Scotland in the 1820s. Walker learned the skills required to create a commercially successful whisky using malts from local distilleries. He also blended tea, coffee and spices. The rest is history. The brand now sells over 220 million single bottles each year and is owned by Diageo.
Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years Old is bottled at 43% ABV. It is widely available in specialist whisky retailers and supermarkets around the world. A bottle should cost around the £45-50 mark.
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is bright gold and the nose is sweet, fruity and with a wisp of soft peat smoke. Green aromas rise from the glass first, especially apple and fresh cut grass. Then comes a distinct honeyed vibe with some nuttiness, especially caramelised pecans and hazelnut praline. An alkaline briny quality comes through at the end, as does some blanched almond and delicate white peach.
On the palate this whisky feels delightfully sweet, characterful and luxurious. Initial notes of icing sugar and apricot jam subside to be replaced by golden sugar and baked green apple sprinkled with brown sugar. Then comes some vanilla toffee, dried red apple and a hint of crème brûlée. Some candied orange peel and plump, juicy sultana are evident too.
In the background sit dusty baking spices, especially cinnamon powder and all-spice. There is also a distinct note of antique furniture and beeswax furniture polish. A hint of floral honeysuckle and orange blossom linger nicely in the background. The gentle peat smoke becomes drier towards the end with some damp moss and bonfire ash notes coming through well.
The finish is of decent length and where the smokiness really shines. This has a soft and gentle feel but with a hint of sweet ash and a refreshing salinity. This especially develops once the fruity and sweet characteristics have faded.
What’s The Verdict?
This is a classic whisky. It feels like something of a hidden gem that sits amongst its more showy or best selling siblings in the core range. The Johnnie Walker Green Label is really well put together and skillfully blended, without being pushed in any one direction or exaggerated too much. All elements are superbly balanced and it makes for a great drink. We prefer it neat or over ice, but the sweetness and elegant peat smoke would add so much depth and complexity to a well made cocktail.
