Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve | Taste, Price and Similar Whiskies

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:

• Red Label
• Green Label
• Black label
• Blue Label
• Double Black Label

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.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Price List