Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 02:46 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.
Explore the distinctions between Glenlivet 12 and Johnnie Walker Black Label in my thorough comparison, and choose your next Scotch!
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
Glenlivet 12 vs Black Label: Comparison
- Glenlivet 12: A smooth, easy-to-drink Scotch with honey and vanilla notes. Ideal for beginners.
- Johnnie Walker Black Label: Offers a balanced smoky taste with a longer, peppery finish. Suited for those appreciating moderate smokiness.
Verdict: Glenlivet 12 is great for newcomers to Scotch, while Johnnie Walker Black Label appeals to those seeking complexity and smokiness at a lower price point, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Smooth Single Malt Whisky
Glenlivet 12: A Smooth and Straightforward Introduction to Scotch
- Nose: Toasted cereal, honey, pear
- Palate: Vanilla, ripe fruit
- Finish: Short, honey, vanilla
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Balvenie 12
Delicate and Inviting Aroma: Glenlivet 12 opens with a gentle aroma, featuring hints of toasted grains, honey, and pear, offering a welcoming first impression.
Smooth and Vanilla-Forward Palate: The texture is pleasingly smooth with a creamy mouthfeel. The dominant flavor is vanilla, accompanied by subtle fruity notes, creating a straightforward and uncomplicated taste experience.
Short and Sweet Finish: The finish is brief but enjoyable, lingering with additional notes of honey and vanilla, leaving a sweet aftertaste.
An Easy Introduction to Scotch: Glenlivet 12 caters to those new to Scotch, offering a smooth and approachable dram. It avoids harsh, smoky, or peaty characteristics, making it an easy-to-drink and user-friendly option.
Subtle Flavor Profile: While enjoyable, the dominant vanilla notes may lack complexity for some experienced Scotch drinkers, earning it the nickname “plain vanilla” whisky.
Ideal Starting Point: Due to its gentle profile, Glenlivet 12 makes a great choice for those starting their Scotch exploration. It allows you to appreciate the core characteristics of Scotch whisky without overwhelming your palate.
Enhancing the Experience: Adding a touch of water can unlock further sweetness and floral notes, a common practice in Scottish whisky tradition.
Better Suited for Sipping: While technically usable in cocktails, opting for a more affordable and bolder-flavored option like Dewar’s White Label might be a better choice for mixing, as Glenlivet’s delicate profile can get lost in mixed drinks.
Glenlivet 12 in a Nutshell: A smooth and gentle introduction to the world of Scotch, ideal for beginners seeking a straightforward and approachable whisky experience.
Additional Information:
- Primarily aged in ex-bourbon and European oak casks, influencing its flavor profile.
- The distillery utilizes wooden washbacks for mash fermentation, contributing to a unique character.
- Glenlivet holds the title of the best-selling single malt in the United States.
- Awarded Gold at the International Spirits Challenge, highlighting its quality.
- Owned by Pernod-Ricard, a prominent drinks conglomerate also housing brands like Chivas Regal and Jameson Whiskey.
Johnnie Walker Black Label: A Balanced Blend with a Smoky Touch
- Nose: Vanilla, orange zest, nectarine
- Palate: Smoke, roasted malt, caramel, vanilla
- Finish: Long, fruity, peppery, smoke
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: White Walker
Intriguing Aroma: The Black Label greets you with a blend of sweet and smoky notes, offering aromas of vanilla, orange zest, nectarine, alongside a subtle hint of alcohol.
Smooth and Smoky Palate: While the texture might feel slightly thin, the flavor profile delivers a balance of sweetness and smoke. A distinctive peat character reminiscent of charcoal takes center stage, followed by hints of caramel and vanilla emerges towards the finish.
Pleasant Smoky Finish: The Black Label boasts a smooth finish with a pleasant and lingering smoky aftertaste, complemented by gentle warmth, black pepper, salt, and caramel notes. It avoids any harshness, making for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
A Dependable Choice: Johnnie Walker Black Label presents a reliable whisky, offering a well-balanced combination of smoke and sweetness. The peat smoke merges with charred oak barrel smoke, resulting in a smooth taste and a warming finish that isn’t overpowering.
Perfect Introduction to Peat: Served on the rocks, the Black Label is ideal for those wanting to explore peaty whiskies. It serves as a fantastic introductory bottle, offering a subtler smoky experience compared to more intense Islay whiskies.
Everyday Whisky: The Black Label’s affordability, coupled with its balanced flavor profile, makes it a great choice for everyday enjoyment and a top contender among age-statement blends in its price range.
Black Label in a Nutshell: A dependable and well-balanced blend, offering a smooth and pleasant introduction to the world of smoky whiskies.
Additional Information:
- Blended with 40 different whiskies, aged for at least 12 years, from across Scotland.
- The blend incorporates peaty whiskies from Islay, sweet and salty whiskies from Speyside, and malts from the Scottish Highlands.
- Johnnie Walker holds the title of the world’s best-selling whisky brand, outselling its closest competitor by double.
- Founded in the early 19th century by John Walker, interestingly, a non-drinker himself.
How do these whiskies differ?
The Glenlivet 12 is a type of Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which means it is exclusively crafted from malted barley and produced at a single distillery.
In contrast, the Black Label is a blend of 40 whiskies made from malts and grains sourced from various distilleries in Scotland.
It is important to note that being a single malt does not necessarily make a whisky superior, as malted barley is more costly than grains, resulting in a higher price point.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Glenlivet 12 | $51 |
| Johnnie Walker Black Label | $40 |