![I was surprised to see how many labels Johnnie Walker has and how few I could afford. Unless you’re a blue blooded Aristocrat, you probably haven’t run (or walked) the Johnnie Walker spectrum of selection. Few scotch aficionados have reached the summit. Like me, you’ve most likely only had Johnnie Red or Black. So, if [...]](http://guymanningham.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Keep-Walking-Johnnie-Walker-Labels.jpg "The Labels of Johnnie Walker")
I was surprised to see how many labels Johnnie Walker has and how few I could afford. Unless you’re a blue blooded Aristocrat, you probably haven’t run (or walked) the Johnnie Walker spectrum of selection. Few scotch aficionados have reached the summit. Like me, you’ve most likely only had Johnnie Red or Black. So, if you’re looking to broaden your palate while denting your back account, I’ve compiled the degrees of Johnnie Walker below. See if you can list them all before scrolling down.
Quick facts about Johnnie Walker:
- First sold in John “Johnnie” Walkers grocer’s shop in Ayrshire, Scotland
- It is the most widely distributed brand of blended Scotch whisky in the world
- Johnnie Walker White was dropped down to soldiers during World War I.
- The Striding Man Society is a members club for Johnnie Walker drinkers.
The Man Who Walked Around the World
Red Label: Is a blend of about 35 grain and malt whiskies. Mostly used in making mixed drinks. 80 proof (40% ABV)
About: Legend has it this was the favorite Scotch of Winston Churchill, who mixed it with soda.
Price: $23.00
Black Label: A blend of about 40 whiskies, each aged at least 12 years. 80 proof (40% ABV).
About: Originated in the 1870s as Old Special Whisky, Johnnie Walker Black Label became “Black Label” in 1909.
Price: $34.00
Green Label: A rich blend using only malts “drawn from the four corners of Scotland.” Each malt whisky is matured for a minimum of 15 years to deliver rich, full layers of flavor.
About: The naturally vibrant flavors provide unparalleled depth, substance and intensity. Each of the malts is specially selected by the Master Blender to create the perfect balance in the whisky.
Price: $60.00
Gold Label: A blend of over 15 single malts. Commonly bottled at 15 or 18 years. 80 proof (40% ABV).
About: Created by using Alexander Walker II’s blending notes for a whisky to commemorate Johnnie Walker’s centenary. His original efforts were halted by a shortage of malts following World War I.
Price: $85.00
Blue Label: A blend, aged no less than 20 years. 80 proof (40% ABV).
About: Johnnie Walker’s premium blend. Every bottle is serial numbered and sold in a silk-lined box, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
Price: $250.00
Swing Label: Sweet like Bourbon, Swing was originally created by Sir Alexander Walker, grandson of John Walker.
About: This distinctive bottle which is designed with an irregular bottom that allows it to rock back and forth.
Price: $75.00
Blue Label King George V: Produced to recreate the Johnnie Walker blending style from King George V era.
About: Created to commemorate King George V, who was the British monarch that first granted Johnnie Walker its Royal Warrant in 1934. Packaged in crystal decanter accompanied by an individually numbered certificate of authenticity.
Price: $550.00
Source:
www.johnniewalker.com
Nothing better than a glass of Johnnie, a fine cigar and a big worn-down leather chair. That video was pretty awesome, brother. Robert Carlyle did a hell of a job. I kept getting flashbacks from him in Trainspotting.
Thanks for the post, Brother. I couldn’t agree more. I really liked the way the video was shot. Having Carlyle continuously walking while giving the history of Johnnie Walker was genius. The timing was pretty clutch too, being how it was taken in one shot. Granted, I was a little ticked he cut the Piper off.
I love JW and have actually started a collection.. and yes – I started drinking Red, then Black – then I tried Double Black and suddenly the ball was rolling… But there are a few missing on your list:
Double Black
Platinum
Gold Label Reserve
Swing Superior
And the three latest editions (made for Duty Free sales):
The Spice Route
The Gold Route
The Royal Silk Route (due sometime in the summer 2013)
I myself have all above (including the ones on your list – though obviously not The Royal Silk Route) – and the very best is the JW King George V, followed by Blue and Gold Label..
But I’d sure like to get my hands on some of these also from JW:
Quest
XR 21
JW Premier
Blue Label Cask Edition
Green Label 180
Thanks for a great homepage – hope you like my contribution
Rune from Denmark
PS I’ve converted my girl friend from being a brandy drinker to being a whisky drinker
Thanks for the input, brother! Stay thirsty.