Johnnie Walker whiskey: history, overview of taste and types + how to distinguish a fake
One of the most popular brands of blended scotch, known among connoisseurs as the "king of whiskey," combines more than a dozen varieties of malt liquor. Among them are budget young drinks, elite aged products, and middle-priced alcohol.
Different versions differ not only in price and taste, but also in the "color code" reflected in the name and design of the bottle. The most affordable is the Red Label category (about $25), while the Black Label and Green Label are a bit more expensive.
The real gem in terms of price and quality is the Blue Label line: you'll have to spend at least a couple hundred dollars for it. Every year, at least two hundred million bottles are sold under the recognizable Johnnie Walker brand, and the logo with a proudly walking dandy and the slogan "Keep walking" is familiar even to people who have never tasted whiskey...
The story of Johnnie Walker
The first step on the way to creating the popular scotch was the opening of a small grocery store in Kilmarnock. Before that, the Walker family had been farming, but after the death of his father in 1819, the energetic representative of the Johnnie family decided to try his luck in commerce. He sold his farm and started his own business with the proceeds.
Things were going well: John had a natural gift for entrepreneurship. Among other products, the store sold ordinary whiskey. The quality of single malt scotch was not particularly satisfactory for the newly-made businessman, and at some point he tried to mix drinks. The experimental blends created by the talented young man turned out to be so good that they became extremely popular among buyers.
When John died in 1857, having lived a full and prosperous life, his son Alexander inherited a thriving business named after the creator of John Walker. Further development of the family business was facilitated by the industrial revolution that was raging in England, thanks to which a railroad appeared in Kilmarnock.
Being a worthy son of an enterprising father, Alexander took advantage of a good moment and organized the production of a commercial blend of Old Highland Whisky. To distribute the drink, the Scottish businessman involved ship captains who delivered the new product to different parts of the world.
Soon after, Alexander developed the famous square bottle, which is resistant to damage, and the original slanted label that distinguishes Johnnie Walker products from other spirits. Successful innovations have been preserved and are present to this day in the design of the legendary scotch.
The sturdy bottle protects the drink from loss during long journeys, while the 24-degree label attracts attention and allows for more useful information for customers.
In 1889. after Alexander's death, the family company was taken over by his sons, George and Alexander Jr. who made the Johnnie Walker brand famous all over the world.
In 1893, the brothers purchased the Cardhu distillery to produce spirits for their own blends.
In 1909, the famous "Red Label" and "Black Label" were created. Around the same time, a promising young illustrator Tom Brown sketched the legendary logo on the back of the menu during lunch. The Walker brothers approved the idea of a "walking man with a cane" immediately. In one fell swoop, John Walker, a Victorian grocer, became Johnny Walker, an Edwardian dandy.
By 1920, the brand's drinks were already sold in 120 countries.
In 1934, the company's merits were recognized by George V, who issued the John Walker & Sons" order to supply whiskey to the royal table.
The brand is currently owned by the alcohol giant Diageo.
Types of Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker Red Label
The most popular variant among the brand's scotches, first released in 1909.
The standard blend is based on 30 bright grain and malt spirits from different regions of Scotland: light eastern and powerful peaty spirits from the west. The aroma is dominated by citrus tones of elegant Speyside and Highland whiskey.
The deep, balanced flavor combines spicy cinnamon notes with the sharpness of black pepper, followed by a long smoky vanilla aftertaste.
Good both on its own and in cocktails.
Johnnie Walker Black Label
The reference blend of the Deluxe series with a smooth, deep character. Created from grain and single malt spirits, aged for at least 12 years.
The aroma of the outstanding whiskey contains tones of dark tropical fruits, oak and sweet vanilla. The multidimensional taste is revealed gradually, luring with light creamy notes of iris and warming with a warm smoke plume.
It is versatile in terms of serving: you can taste it solo, on the rocks, with soda, or in cocktails.
Johnnie Walker Double Black
A full-bodied whiskey with an intense smoky character, created on the basis of the iconic "black label", aged in heavily charred barrels.
The aroma is dominated by hints of sweet smoke and cloves.
The taste is intensely peaty with notes of raisins, fresh apples, spices, orange and creamy vanilla.
The finish is long, warming, with a powerful smoky and spicy accent.
Johnnie Walker Green Label
A perfectly balanced blend. It is made from a mixture of Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Islay malt spirits.
Each component is aged for at least 15 years in European and American oak barrels.
The bouquet combines intense aromas of crispy cut grass, fresh fruit, hot pepper, vanilla and sandalwood.
The taste is dominated by deep woody and light floral notes, which turn into a signature smoky trail with notes of peat and sea salt.
Johnnie Walker Island Green
One of the variations of the previous drink, created from single malt spirits. The blend is dominated by "island" components, in particular, Caol Ila whiskey. The drink differs from the original with a more pronounced smokiness.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
A luxurious and smooth whiskey with notes of vanilla and tropical fruits, born from a harmonious partnership of Speyside and Highland spirits, and a slight hint of smoldering West Coast charcoal.
The aroma is characterized by notes of honey, creamy sweetness, and subtle woody hints.
Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years
The drink, which stands apart in the color line, is a blend of 18 different spirits from all regions of Scotland.
Most of the components are carefully selected aged 18-year-old single malt.
The balanced bouquet contains notes of toffee and caramel, fragrant almonds, warm vanilla, tropical tangerines.
The long aftertaste pleases with hints of dark chocolate, citrus zest and enveloping smoke.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
The main masterpiece of the collection, consisting of the most exquisite and rare varieties of Speyside and Highland whisky.
Includes delicate spirits "Cardhu" and "Clynelish", warm "Benrinnes", Islay malt with characteristic smoky notes.
The contents of only one of 10 thousand barrels are suitable for creating an exceptional drink.
Aroma: soft, rounded, smoky and raisiny.
Taste: velvety, with vanilla and honey notes, hints of rose petals, nuts, orange peel, sherry and chocolate. Finish: luxurious, rich, long, with a smoky finish.
In addition to these products, the company produces limited versions of special drinks, pocket-sized scotches, and exclusive blends in the John Walker brand design & Sons".
How to distinguish a fake Johnnie Walker
The most common object of counterfeiting is Red Label scotch, which is a popular favorite. It is the simplest in terms of taste and design. "Black Label" is also often counterfeited, but the facts of copying "Blue Label" have not yet been recorded. When buying a famous whiskey, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
View of the lid
In the original drink, it is blown, slightly convex in the middle, similar to a small barrel, but not to a vodka twist.
The inscription "John Walker" should be present on the side & Sons". After removing the cap, a narrow ring remains on the bottle, while fakes have a wide lower rim.
Features of the label
It should be of high quality, without traces of glue, smeared inscriptions. The real "Johnnie" label is embossed, glued at a certain angle (24°).
Bottle characteristics
The branded container must have a three-dimensional logo with a walking man. It may vary slightly from one drink to another, but it should be sticking out of the glass, not painted or glued on.
Consistency of whiskey
Real scotch tape is oily, thick, without signs of turbidity or sediment, forms large bubbles that do not disappear for a long time when shaken, and flows slowly down the walls.
Finally, it will not be superfluous to make sure that there is an excise stamp and information about the batch and date of bottling, applied by laser at the bottom of the bottle.
Interesting facts
The logo with a walking man was not chosen by chance. It contains a reference to the name of the brand's creator: "Walker" is translated from English as "the one who walks". In 2015, the picture was slightly changed, but the idea remained the same.
In the mid-2010s, the fashionable shoe brand Oliver Sweeney pleased fans of the famous scotch with original calfskin boots, in the heels of which a real miniature bottle of Red Label whiskey was placed. The initials "JW" are embroidered on the back of each pair.
There are many celebrities among Johnnie Walker's connoisseurs. At one time, the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was fond of the legendary scotch.
Most of all, he loved Black Label whiskey, in honor of which he even created a painting called "Bottle Neck". According to legend, the painting decorated the family estate for a long time until it was sold at auction for several hundred thousand dollars. Among modern politicians, the brand's drinks are highly appreciated by American ex-Vice President Dick Cheney.
Update: 30.03.2019
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon