Last Updated on: 12th 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.
Discover the differences between Jameson vs Johnnie Walker Red Label in this in-depth comparison and decide which whiskey 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
Jameson vs Red Label: Which to Buy?
Jameson Irish Whiskey: Sweet, floral, and smooth. A perfect balance of ripe fruit and vanilla with a medium spicy finish. Ideal for smooth cocktails.
Johnnie Walker Red Label: Bold and spicy. A mix of pepper, caramel, and oak with a short finish. Best in bold cocktails.
Verdict: Jameson offers a sweet and versatile profile, great for smooth cocktails. Johnnie Walker Red Label presents a bold spice, suited for bold mixed drinks. Both have unique appeals, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
The Smoothness of Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
- Similar to: Maker’s Mark
Sweet & Smooth Start: Jameson’s initial aroma is inviting, offering sweet notes of orange marmalade and caramel with a subtle hint of alcohol.
Well-Rounded Flavor: The taste lives up to the aroma, with a pleasant body and sweetness. Fruity notes mingle with prominent vanilla, creating a well-rounded experience. While there’s a unique metallic note in the finish, it’s not necessarily unpleasant.
Long, Sweet Finish: The finish lingers, leaving a predominantly sweet impression with a touch of black pepper at the very end.
A Mixing Masterpiece: Jameson shines for its smoothness and versatility. It readily blends into any cocktail without introducing harshness, making it a favorite for casual drinks.
Tailoring Your Experience: Adding a dash of water, ginger ale, or ice can further enhance its enjoyment. A few drops of water can tame the alcohol and peppery notes, occasionally accompanied by the metallic hint.
Value for Money: As the world’s top-selling Irish whiskey, Jameson offers a compelling combination of smoothness and affordability, delivering excellent value. It’s perfect for casual drinking or when you want quality whiskey without breaking the bank.
Jameson Facts:
- Crafted with a blend of malted and unmalted barley, aged for at least 4 years in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks.
- Triple-distilled for exceptional smoothness, a hallmark of Irish whiskey.
- Owned by Pernod Ricard, a French company known for brands like Chivas Regal and Glenlivet.
- Produced at the Jameson Distillery in Old Midleton, Ireland.
Enjoy responsibly.
Johnnie Walker Red Label: A Review for the Curious
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Highball
- Similar to: Bushmills
Not for Sipping: Johnnie Walker Red Label’s initial aroma presents a peppery kick with hints of leather and even a slight nail polish note. While some might find these intriguing, these characteristics can be off-putting for many.
Thin and Spicy: On the palate, the experience doesn’t improve. The whisky feels thin and delivers a strong, almost unpleasant, warmth dominated by spice and pepper. There are subtle hints of butterscotch, leather, and tobacco, but they get overshadowed by the intense spice.
Short Finish, Lasting Warmth: Thankfully, the finish is short, leaving you with a lingering warmth and pepperiness.
Better in a Cocktail: While not recommended for sipping, Red Label’s profile can be improved in a highball cocktail. Adding mineral water helps mellow the strong flavors, but this is true for most drinks in this format.
Not for Beginners or Experts: Overall, Johnnie Walker Red Label isn’t a good option for either whisky newcomers or experienced enthusiasts looking for a smooth dram. While affordable, there are better alternatives for both sipping and mixing, like Dewar’s, which is known for its versatility in cocktails.
Red Label Facts:
- Despite holding the title of best-selling Scotch globally since 1945, it’s not the top seller within the UK or Scotland.
- This blend combines over 30 whiskies from different Scottish distilleries.
- Johnnie Walker Red Label is owned by Diageo, a major player in the spirits industry, known for brands like Casamigos, Don Julio, and Captain Morgan.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Whisky | Price |
| Jameson | $31 |
| Johnnie Walker Red Label | $35 |
Differences between Jameson and the Red Label
Jameson Whiskey is crafted by blending malted and unmalted barley, which undergoes a minimum aging period of 4 years in casks previously used for maturing bourbon and sweet sherry wine from Spain.
These distinctive influences contribute to the unique flavor profile found in Jameson.
On the other hand, Johnnie Walker Red Label is a blend of 35 different whiskies, comprising both grain and malt whiskies sourced from various distilleries across Scotland.
With no age statement, this blend combines the smoothness of certain whiskies with the smokiness of others.
In terms of production, Jameson undergoes a triple distillation process, a technique employed in the Irish whiskey industry to ensure exceptional smoothness.
In contrast, Red Label is distilled twice, showcasing a different approach to crafting whisky.