Last Updated on: 10th April 2024, 10:03 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.
Discover the differences between Chivas Regal 12 vs Johnnie Walker Black Label in this in-depth comparison and decide which is better for You!
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.
Written by: J Highland
Chivas Regal vs Johnnie Walker Black Label: Comparison
Chivas 12: A light, mixable Scotch with apple and vanilla on the nose, balanced by apple, malt, and a touch of pepper on the palate. The finish is short with a hint of bitterness. Priced at $36, it’s perfect for highballs, offering a straightforward, accessible flavor profile suitable for casual sipping or mixing.
Johnnie Walker Black Label: Known for its smoky charm, this blend features vanilla and citrus on the nose, with a palate of smoke, caramel, and vanilla. The finish is long, with fruity and peppery smoke. At $40, Black Label is an excellent everyday sipper, offering a well-rounded introduction to smoky Scotch whiskies with great value.
Key Fact: Black Label and Chivas Regal are blended whiskies from Scotland, aged 12 years, and sourced from multiple distilleries owned by Diageo and Pernod Ricard, respectively, without having their own distilleries.
Verdict: While Chivas 12 offers a lighter, fruitier profile ideal for mixing, Johnnie Walker Black Label provides a rich, smoky experience that’s enjoyable neat or on the rocks. Both are excellent entry points into Scotch, with the choice depending on personal preference for flavor profile and usage, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Best Cheap Scotch Brands
Chivas 12: Apple & Spice, Light & Mixable
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Highball
- Similar to: Chivas 18
Nose: Think apple juice, classic Chivas feature, with a hint of vanilla and lemon curd sweetness.
Palate: Light-bodied, reveals oak, caramel, green apple, cinnamon, and a touch of black pepper.
Finish: Short and light, with peppery spice and gentle warmth, not harsh.
Good stuff? Decent, but not mind-blowing. Slightly peppery neat, shines in a refreshing highball.
More to know:
- Lacks complexity, but has the essentials of Scotch whisky.
- Affordable price makes it appealing.
- Not the smoothest, but a top choice for mixing.
Chivas 12 facts:
- Blend of grain and malt whiskies from different Scottish distilleries.
- Each whisky aged at least 12 years before bottling.
- Owned by Pernod Ricard, along with The Glenlivet.
Johnnie Walker Black Label: Smoky Charm, Everyday Sipper
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Green Label
Nose: Sweet vanilla with hints of orange zest, nectarine, and a whisper of alcohol.
Palate: Light-bodied, reveals peaty notes upfront. As you sip, caramel and vanilla emerge.
Finish: Peat, black pepper, salt, and caramel dance together, warming the palate without harshness.
Good stuff? You bet. Black Label balances smoke and sweetness well, offering a taste of both peat and oak influence.
More to know:
- Smooth with a warm finish, it’s best enjoyed over ice.
- Perfect intro to smoky Scotch, showcasing Islay’s peaty magic.
- Affordable, making it a great stepping stone before exploring Islay single malts.
- Excellent value in the aged statement blend category.
- Your “everyday Scotch” for quality and flavor.
Black Label facts:
- Blend of 40+ 12+ year old whiskies from all over Scotland.
- Includes peaty Islay malts, sweet/salty Speysides, and Highland malts.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Chivas Regal 12 | $36 |
| Johnnie Walker Black Label | $40 |
What do Johnnie Walker and Chivas Regal have in common?
Both the Black Label and Chivas Regal share the characteristic of being whiskies crafted from a blend of single malt and grain whiskies, sourced from various distilleries across Scotland.
These whiskies are aged for a minimum of 12 years.
It may surprise you to learn that these renowned brands do not possess their own distilleries.
Instead, they rely on a selection of distilleries owned by their parent companies, which have an extensive portfolio of distilleries under their ownership. Johnnie Walker is owned by Diageo, a London-based spirits company, while Chivas Regal is owned by Pernod Ricard, a Paris-based spirits company.
Both Diageo and Pernod Ricard are among the largest spirits companies in the world, known for their vast expertise and extensive range of whisky offerings.