Last Updated on: 13th April 2024, 01:50 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Johnnie Walker doesn’t produce a single malt, instead, they present the Green Label, a fusion of single malts from some of Diageo’s most prestigious Scottish distilleries.
Diageo, Johnnie Walker’s parent company, ensures this blend stands out.
Dive into this post for an in-depth look at the Green Label and my take.
Written by: J Highland
Why is Johnnie Walker Green Label not a Single Malt?
The Green Label is a blend of single malts, yet it doesn’t qualify as a single malt whisky due to Scotch production regulations.
For a whisky to earn the ‘single malt’ title, it must be made at just one distillery.
Surprisingly, Johnnie Walker doesn’t operate its own distillery!
Instead, it’s a brand known for expertly blending whiskies from various sources, mentions Scotch expert Neil Coleman.
Specifically, the Green Label combines malts from esteemed distilleries such as Caol Ila, Talisker, Linkwood, and Cragganmore, with each malt in the blend matured for a minimum of 15 years.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Coffee, smoke, chocolate, oak
- Palate: Dates, walnuts, barley, coffee
- Finish: Long, caramel, spice, oak
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
The Green Label presents an inviting aroma of espresso, chocolate, oak, a smoky essence, and traces of iodine.
Tasting it reveals a medium-bodied profile, carrying hints of sweetness, dates, walnuts, malt, coffee, and a touch of minerals.
It concludes with a lengthy, sweet aftertaste, subtly complemented by smoky and oaky undertones.
My opinion
The Green Label holds a spot in my cabinet, boasting a harmonious blend of smoke, spice, and peat.
This blend nicely blends single malts, striking an impressive balance between flavor and cost.
Although the Blue Label enjoys widespread acclaim, the Green Label shines as a hidden gem.
It rivals many pricier whiskies labeled as single malts.
Typically, a commendable 15-year-old whisky costs around $130, while the Green Label is priced between $50 to $60, marking it as an exceptional bargain.
Among the Johnnie Walker lineup, it’s second only to the illustrious Blue Label, but without the hefty price tag.
Hence, if you’re seeking a premium whisky experience without breaking the bank, the Green Label is a top pick.
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.