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Johnnie Walker Blue Label
March 10, 2006 9:34 AM
This is one of those spirits that either gets rave reviews or boo's and hisses. Some people think that the price point of Blue Label is a rip off, while others see that it represents something more than just the liquid in the bottle. It is true that Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a blended scotch, which automatically nix's this spirit from single malt snobs list of drinkable scotch. That's fine, too each their own, I say. But, if you keep an open mind, you might see more to this scotch than the price and grain spirit. Let's take a look at this from a neutral aspect and see if there really is value to this scotch.
I will admit now, that I do own a bottle of Blue Label and have sipped it many times. Prior to my entry into the bartending world, I was just a normal consumer with no experience in the unique world of scotch. When I became engaged, and started planning the wedding, I wanted it to be a great celebration, so I decided I'd buy a great bottle of scotch to make the moment memorable. In my quest for scotch, I realized that there were so many varieties and styles that I had no idea of where to start. However, I was aware of Johnnie Walker Red Label and had often seen the Black and Gold labels at the liquor store, each with an increase in price. So, I looked into Gold Label and came across a reference to Blue Label. As I did my research, Blue Label was represented as an epic scotch. I then went to Whisky Magazine and looked up the review on Blue Label. Michael Jackson gave it a 9¼ and described it as 'a lovely, luxurious whisky'. Meanwhile Dave Broom gave it a 9. It also was given the Editors Choice award. How could I argue with two whisky experts, Blue Label was my choice, even at $200 for the bottle.
At the heart of Blue Label is Royal Lochnagar, a rare malt distilled near Balmoral, the Queen's holiday home. Around 15 other mature and precious whiskies are added to balance Blue Label. On the nose Blue Label is exceptionally smooth, even if you take a very deep inhale, there is no harsh alcohol burn. There is a subtle aroma of smoke, tobacco and peat with a slight sweetness, almost fruity, that is quite enjoyable. On tasting you get a good shot of smoke with a little astringency and some good warmth in the mouth. The scotch clings to your tongue and the peatiness comes out with hints of bitterness, like bittersweet chocolate. There is a background of malt and after a minute the flavours still linger pleasantly on your tongue. It is a great scotch if you just appreciate it, as is. If you sit there, while tasting it, thinking to yourself "dam, this has grain spirits in it, this sucks" then you have already convinced yourself that Blue Label is not your thing. A good attitude will help when tasting anything, including food, wine or spirits.
A large part of buying Blue Label is that it represents more than just a fine scotch. I believe that the majority of people who buy this product are trying to impress someone. It can be given as the ultimate Christmas gift or served when entertaining. Sometimes, it is a sign of prosperity or self importance. Some people just like to buy the best, and Blue Label represents the perceived best, even though this may be through marketing efforts. It works for Grey Goose, and a couple dozen other premium vodkas. This attitude is no different than a malt snob huffing, in contempt, that they don't drink blends.
I like to make the parallel of a fine restaurant. A steak in a high end restaurant is generally no different than a steak at "Bob's Cookhouse." The steak, if graded triple AAA is going to cost about the same and be of good quality. Sure, a high class restaurant can order "special cows", but in reality, beef is beef and steak is steak. The main difference is the presentation and atmosphere. I can have a great steak at Bob's steakhouse, but sometimes you want a steak where you can impress someone or enjoy a different atmosphere. It's the tables, location, perks and attitude that you are paying for. Basically, marketing is the difference between a $12 AAA streak and a $35 AAA steak. Same goes for the Blue Label. You are paying the extra because Johnnie Walker markets their product to a high end consumer. They are doing the ground work to make the product special, so that if you do give it as a gift or share it with friends, your friends will know that you are being generous and kind. Most people couldn't tell the difference between a great scotch and a bad scotch to tell you the truth. As a bartender, I have managers who think that Johnnie Walker Red Label is a premium scotch.
At the end of the day, when you buy scotch, you are buying the rental fee for the aging process and the expertise of the master blender. When you buy Blue Label, you are paying for the crafting, along with the marketing. People purchase Blue Label because it represents an easily identifiable premium scotch. When I bought this scotch, that was my impression. However, I wasn't tainted by the opinion of people who said that it was over rated. My first impression was that this actually tasted pretty good for a scotch. I enjoyed it, my friends enjoyed it, even if they didn't like the taste, but they appreciated that I was trying to provide them with the best I could offer. This has value that many scotches just don't have.
32 Comments on Johnnie Walker Blue Label
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I know some who will berate Blue for the sake of being a purist and that's pretty week sauce. It's not a bad whisky at all. I think the problem comes from the concept that there are just better brands to give people for the money.
I understand your point about it being an easily identifiable premium label, but ultimately, this hurts the industry as a whole. It creates a generic feel to the brand that others have to start competing with, even if it means lowering quality in order to match it. Think Starbuck's. NOT good coffee, people.
Vodka has some leeway in this, imo, because the difference between "Premium" and "Super-Premium" brands is $10 bucks at most. Not $100.
And though I know where you were heading with your steak analogy, it's way off. Prime beef that is dry aged that you would get at a top-end steakhouse is a world apart from the Choice cut you get at most places. Find a store that sells Prime and then get a cut of Choice, cook them both the same (don't even worry about aging) and you'll see a significant difference.
You'd hate to see a blog about the fineries of meat oversimplify when they chatted about Scotch, doing it the other way doesn't work either.
Great article, Darcy. Much appreciated.
Hey Rick,
My steak analogy was a little weak, and I probably should have compared the bottle to the restaurant and the spirit to the food. But you get the point.
Someday I think scotch needs to be simplified. The majority of people buy based on price and have no idea what an Islay malt is, or how to pronounce it (eye-la). But then again, I'm no expert and usually I will just buy a bottle on a whim and see how it tastes. I'll be writing on this soon.
Darcy
p.s. thanks Lonnie
it is tasty stuff
I have drank Johnnie Walker Blue and I have found it to be smooth and I want to know how I can purchase a bottle of the Blue and Green.
I bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label when i was in Houston and have only sipped at it a few times, most of my friends are horrified when the bottle comes out because they can not handle this stuff, i don't mind it but my favorate is still the Black Label.
I agre with John Walker. Occasionally I have a sip of the blue, because of its smoothness, however I have to say that Black Label is the best Blend deluxe money can buy. Beats them all!!!!
The reason Johnny Blue cost so much is because several of the distilleries it drew its whiskeys from for its original blend are not making their products any more, for whatever reason. That is why you will see the price of this product go up steadily over time. I think when it hit my radar, it was $150 to $175 a bottle. Then it hovered at about $190 about 3 years or so ago. No it is at the $200, $210 mark. I et it will increase again shortly.
For what it is worth, I love this whiskey. I have never owned a bottle, but I treat my self to a sniffter once or twice a year at my favorite restaurants.
can you tell me what year did Johnnie Walker Blue came out.
Blue Label is quite recent, I don't think it existed before the late 80's.
This is a good and fair review. Props.
Good points. As a single malt enthusiast, I appreciate the regional and individual characteristics that make a good dram of whisky. That said, I enjoy a quality blend every now and then.
What I want to know is why Blue Label, which is supposed to pride itself as a superb combination of single malts, is not a vatted malt (i.e. without the colorless and odorless grain alcohol)?
Blue is limited production, and prices itself out of a high demand market, so why the dilution? Vatted malts are on the rise, and maybe JW would appeal to more single malt drinkers if they dropped the grain content.
I got a "Warrant of Appointment" in re: Johnnie Walker. Blue Label. King George V; what do I do now?
Though you would to know there is a new King in town King George V
made by Johnnie Walker. It's a Limited -edition (4000 Bottles) I have mine, Best yet.
Great Work Johnnie Walker
It tastes just like money!!!
AW
My friends and I just experienced Johnnie Walker Blue after a victorious Green Bay Packer game. We all agreed that it was extremely smooth and totally enjoyable. Worth the price.
One of the main reasons that the price of premium whiskey is skyrocketing is China. They have begun buying high end spirits in the last decade in quantities that outstrip supply. Johnny Blue is decent stuff, but if I had to plonk $200 on a single bottle, it'd be something else.
King George V is actually Blue Label in a beautiful bottle.
I Love Blue Label and it's just a personal thing!
I was introduced to JW Blue in 2000 at a Xmas party in Tokyo and have been an avid fan since. I had some prime Sake and quite a few shots of JWB and had to be at work at 0600 the next day. I made it without the slightest hint of a hangover. I may have been a wee bit inebriated but felt great the rest of the day. It has always been in my home and I pick it up at the airports during my travels for best cost and duty free ($130 - $160). Salud!
Hi, Can someone please help me , i want to buy Blue Label KGV, but cant find it. If you know where i can buy one please please let me know
Anabell: grandwinecellar.com has the Johnny Walker KGV for US$549.99. Good Luck.
I was given s case of JW blue, my grandfather gave it to me 10 years ago. This pass Thankgiving was my first time tasting JW Blue, one word....Perfect!
I have been drinking JW Blue for about 15 years. It is a smooth, no-nonsense scotch with absolutely no bite unlike JW red and Black. Ugh!! Another outstanding scotch is JW Swing, which I feel is underrated and most certainly underpriced at around $60/bottle. I have turned on many of my friends to JW Blue and Swing. In fact, I have to hide the bottles when they come over or else they'd drink me "bone dry." (LOL)
I used to get JW Blue from some of the duty-free stores when my friends went to Arruba and places like that. I would buy 4-6 bottles for about $118/bottle, but like everything else, those days are over. Is it worth $209/bottle currently? No, especially when a lot of that is tax, but at least once or twice a year, I bite the bullet and buy it. I drink it for pure pleasure, not to impress my friends. Give me a Macunudo Prince Phillip Maduro cigar and a glass of Blue, and I am in heaven!
Hello Gang:
I have not tasted it yet but I just got back from a trip to Mexico where I picked up a 5th of JW Blue for $110 USD and no taxes. I also got this monstrous 4.5 liter bottle of JW Black for $110 USD with a free bag. Can't wait to try them. God luck whisky shoppers.
i just like to ask anyone knows what is on the bottle of blue label? me having a gamble with a friend he say blue label is 30 years. i knw red is 4, black is 12, green is 15 & gold is 18 but dun know about blue label.thanks
Answer: Blue Label does not have an age statement, so you are all wrong. The general consensus though is that it is in the 25 year range, with much older whiskies included (it is a blend)
I have had a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue in my possesion for several years. It is boxed and has a seal. It also has a special number X48997JW on the label (limited edition?). Are you able to tell me the significance of this, and what is its value?
Alf look here:
http://www.johnniewalker.com/en-us/OurLabels
Neil:
All JW blue have a unique number on the label and are sealed so you know it is authentic.
I wonder if the "blue label" scotch would taste the same when served out of a "red label" bottle. Something to experiment with friends. Here's what I'd do. Buy a bottle each of "red label" and "blue label" and swap the contents before serving. See which one tastes better.
What a great blog and response section. I was recently turned on to JWB in Savhannaket, Lao. JWB is ridiculously inexpensive there(if you are an american). I did shots with the owner of the Hotel we stayed at and was not impressed....but that was at 0900 in the morning under severe diress to keep up with the man!
I am now in Bahrain and just purchased a bottle at our exchange here for 150 bones and will/am sharing it with rookies as well (me being one to), we all like beer.
since i did shots earlier i thought this would NOT be an appropriate way to down this beverage- i paid for it! So i added ice for our first drink before i had an epiphany to look on the internet and see what some of the pro's recommend for consuming.
My buddy and i just opened up the bottle and took our first drink with ice and both thought this was an exceptionally smooth drink. since we are rookies, we are now going to try without the ice.....its very smooth. the ice took a little of the signifcance out of the taste but that would be expected. so we are now wondering whats next. I think i like the ice because it brings a refreshment factor-its 100 F!@#ing degrees here in the desert. Sorry for the curse word but it is what it is!
I am close to a military retirement and would like to have a A++++ scotch whiskey at my party, what are the other great scotches out there? JWB is know by all and i saw earlier a "swift"(?). would like to hear other opinions on this.
lastly Darcy, you provided me with a great opinion and i want to give you your props.
cheers,
bucket
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed the article. Cheers
I was googling Blue Label when I came across this site. Just wanted to shar that I finally tried Blue Label at a Johnnie Walker event last night and I was.... not impressed at all. I would not pay more than $50 for what I drank. It was smooth to the point that I felt as if someone had watered it down for a first time drink. It lacked the flavor and spice of the other types they had an offer. I would pick any other Johnnie Walker label (other than red of course!) over the Blue.
I tasted it several times on parties, when our host wanted to impress us with something extraordinary. It's a very good blended, but it cannot offer what a single malt can offer. In a few words, you can get much better at a lower price, if you really can appreciate it.