The Red Label is part of the world famous Johnnie Walker range of blended whiskies. This series of whiskies are among the best selling around the globe – Johnnie Walker sits fifth in total sales behind four Indian whisky brands, and sells over 20 million 9-litre cases per year. The Red Label, along with its sibling the Black Label, forming the cornerstone of this success. Johnnie Walker Red Label is the world’s highest selling Scotch whisky, and is sold in almost every country.
The success is largely built on the original Johnnie Walker blends being exported during Victorian times around the British Empire. As the Empire expanded, more people enjoyed the range and brand has never looked back. This is shown in the fact that Johnnie Walker whiskies were already exported to 120 countries before Coca Cola had left America in the 1920s. The brand and the famous walking man logo are embedded in world culture and pioneered sports sponsorship in the 1960s by sponsoring major events, such as golf and motor racing.
More recently however the brand has established a new ‘home’ built in Edinburgh Princes Street. The multi-storey former department store includes immersive experiences, tours, events, a rather large gift shop, and a number of bars including the roof terrace with spectacular views across Edinburgh. Head to Johnnie Walker’s website for more information and bookings.
Johnnie Walker is currently owned by multi national drinks company Diageo, who blend whiskies from across the ‘Four Corners’ of their distillery portfolio including some that only operate in order to supply the Johnnie Walker range. The Red Label carries no age statement and is a marriage of over 20 different whiskies. It is bottled at 40% ABV and is widely available. A bottle should cost £20-£25.
It is joined in the range by the Black Label (minimum age of whisky in this is 12 years), Green Label (minimum age 15 years), Gold Label (minimum age 18 years) and the legendary Blue Label (no age stated but the youngest whisky in it is rumoured to be 20+ years old and some of the whisky is from rare and closed distilleries).
Our Tasting Notes
The colour is bright gold and the nose is lively, sweet and aromatic. There is initial honey and toffee-like sweetness, which is followed by some distinctive malt (think of grains and cereals) and fruit (imagine dried fruits like raisins and sultanas). A gentle, soft peat smoke comes through and sits in the background, as does something a bit nutty – this is most reminiscent of fresh almonds.
On the palate this whisky soft, sugary and sweet. Notes of crumbly brown sugar, toffee and vanilla fudge combine with plump sugary sultana, milk chocolate coated raisin and a hint of candied orange peel or marmalade. The distinct maltiness from the nose underpins everything and gives structure. Soft notes of baked apple and caramelised pear also come through. A gentle and earthy peat smoke sits underneath and adds a savoury depth. Hints of powdered ginger, cinnamon and cocoa also come through nicely.
The finish lingers and is fairly spicy and becomes a bit fiery (imagine white pepper and fresh ginger). The sweetness fades with the dried fruitiness and brown sugar elements lasting longest. The peat smoke is the last characteristic to fade.
What’s The Verdict?
This is an enjoyable easy-drinking whisky and it is easy to see why so it is so popular. It has an complexity with a moderate level of sweetness, plenty of fruit, caramel and spices. The hint of smokiness gives an extra dimension. The Johnnie Walker Red Label is a very approachable whisky that is versatile and would be good to drink straight, especially over ice, or with a mixer (we like it with ginger ale). It is also well priced .
