The Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve was voted as the best whiskey at the 2018 World Whiskey Awards in the World’s Best Blended category.
This blend is the prime example of a harmonious interplay between Speyside and Highlands whiskeys. Sweet fruits and soft, deep honey notes lead to a finish of woody and the typical smoky aromas of the west coast of Scotland.
It sells for about $60 for a 750ml bottle on average. Originally this blend was marked as being 18 years old. But off late, Diageo has not been marking the gold reserve label bottles as such, indicating that the blend now includes lesser aged malt spirits in it.
What’s with the name?
This blended whiskey owes its name to the river that springs from the Kildon Hills source, in which gold was first found in Scotland in the 19th century.
It was created in 1920 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Johnnie Walker distillery. This “Celebration Blend” is a personal creation by Jim Beveridge, who wanted to use the Johnnie Walker Gold Label to illustrate the craft of blending.
Malts used in Gold Label
Unlike Johnnie Walker Green Label Blended Whiskey, which is a mix of only the best single malt whiskeys, Gold Label has some very well-engineered whiskeys in the mix. These grainy whiskeys give the mixed whiskey an additional dimension of sweetness and also contribute to the smoothness.
The main single malt whiskeys used in this blended whiskey are Clynelish and Cardhu. There is also a Talisker and a malt from Royal Lochnagar in the blend. Each whiskey gives this blend something special.
Clynelish (Highland Region) is known for its honey flavors and gives the mixture a creamy note. Located on the northeast coast of Scotland, Clynelish also has a salty taste.
Cardhu (Speyside Region) is known for producing high-quality single malt whiskey, which is why it is present in gold blend. This gives the blend a certain smoothness and an oak touch.
Click here to read more about other Johnnie Walker whiskeys and its history.
Smell and Taste
On the nose the Johnnie Walker Gold Label has a clear fruity peat note. You can smell the barrel and honey aromas in the background.
Taste-wise it is creamy smooth. It opens with the aroma of sweet nectar and almonds, then turns into fresh fruits and velvety honey tones before yielding notes of smoke and tannins.
The finish is quite long and towards the end, slight traces of smoke remain on your palette.
It was awarded four prestigious Le Monde Selection Grand Golds awards and the same number of double gold medals at the San Francisco competition.
Read more about other Johnnie Walker labels:
How to Drink Gold Label
The Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is good to drink neat at room temperature. We would advise against cooling the blend, adding ice cubes or even using it as a mixed base.
Johnnie Walker sees it differently and advertises that the not so cheap Gold Label Reserve is ideal for exclusive cocktails and long drinks. Another recommendation from Johnnie Walker is to serve the whiskey in a large glass with crushed ice and an orange slice.
Comparison with Similar Whiskeys
If you like the honey-sweet, creamy taste of Johnnie Walker gold label reserve, then you will find the price-quality comparison with similar whiskys useful.
The gold label reserve is quite similar to the 12 year old black label in its taste characteristics. Although several more years of aging refines the gold label, the black label is certainly better from a price/quality point of view.
Name | Size | Price | Score |
---|---|---|---|
Johnnie Walker Black label | 750ml | $36 | 88/100 |
Johnnie Walker Green label | 750ml | $62 | 90/100 |
Johnnie Walker Gold label Reserve | 750ml | $70 | 88/100 |
Amrut Fusion Single Malt | 750ml | $74 | 89/100 |
Springbank 10 Year Old Single Malt | 750ml | $82 | 88/100 |
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Price List
Seller Information | Location | Offer Description | Price and Size |
---|---|---|---|
Remedy Wine & Spirits | Glendale, CA USA | JOHNNIE WALKER SCOTCH BLENDED GOLD LABEL 50ML | USD 3.99 / Miniature <200ml |
Remedy Wine & Spirits | Glendale, CA USA | JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD SCOTCH BLENDED RESERVE 200ML | USD 15.99 / 200ml |
Remedy Wine & Spirits | Glendale, CA USA | JOHNNIE WALKER SCOTCH BLENDED GOLD LABEL RESERVE 750ML | USD 39.99 / Bottle |
International Wine Shop | Westport, CT USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve, Scotland | USD 54.98 / Bottle |
Pike's Wine & Liquor | Elmont, NY USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Limited Edition | USD 59.97 / Bottle |
Vine Republic | Mountainside, NJ USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky, Scotland | USD 59.98 / Bottle |
B-21 | Tarpon Springs, FL USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch, Scotland | USD 59.99 / Bottle |
Hudson Wine Market | Fort Lee, NJ USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve, Scotland | USD 59.99 / Bottle |
Wine & Liquor Warehouse | Canton, CT USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky, Scotland | USD 59.99 / Bottle |
Universal Fine Wine & Spirits | Holiday, FL USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky | USD 59.99 / Bottle |
Wines N Liquor Outlet | Waterbury, CT USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve, Scotland | USD 59.99 / Bottle |
WineChateau.com - Buy Wine Online | Metuchen, NJ USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve | USD 61.95 / Bottle |
Buy-Rite Jersey City | Jersey City, NJ USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) | USD 61.99 / Bottle |
Modern Liquors | Washington, DC USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky | USD 67.99 / Bottle |
Total Wine & More, Sacramento Arden | Sacramento, CA USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Blended Scotch, Scotland | USD 68.99 / Bottle |
WineWorks Online | Marlton, NJ USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) | USD 69.98 / Bottle |
Calvert Woodley | Washington, DC USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Label Reserve Scotch Whisky (750ml) | USD 69.99 / Bottle |
Total Wine & More, Millenia | Orlando, FL USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Blended Scotch, Scotland | USD 69.99 / Bottle |
Arlington Wine & Liquor | Poughkeepsie, NY USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) | USD 71.99 / Bottle |
Best Wine & Spirit 21 | Manhasset, NY USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) | USD 72.99 / Bottle |
Varmax Liquor Pantry | Port Chester, NY USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Label Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) | USD 74.99 / Bottle |
Wollaston Wines & Spirits | Quincy, MA USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve, Scotland | USD 74.99 / Bottle |
Shop-Rite Wines & Spirits of Chester | Chester, NJ USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve, Scotland | USD 74.99 / Bottle |
Shamrock Wine & Liquor | Highland, NY USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky | USD 75.99 / Bottle |
White Star | Brooklyn, NY USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve Limited Edition, Scotland | USD 76.99 / Bottle |
Star Wines & Liquors | Monroe, NY USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve, Scotland | USD 79.99 / Bottle |
Benash Liquor Store | Cherry Hill, NJ USA | Johnnie Walker Scotch Gold Label Reserve, Scotland | USD 79.99 / Bottle |
Blue Streak Wines | Long Island City, NY USA | Johnnie Walker - Gold Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml) | USD 79.99 / Bottle |
Total Wine & More, S. Las Vegas Blvd | Las Vegas, NV USA | Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Blended Scotch, Scotland | USD 79.99 / Bottle |