Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$65
Website
What the Blender Says
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is the perfect blend for an indulgent celebration. Luxurious, creamy and honeyed, it is a wonderful tribute to the harmonious partnership of Speyside and Highland Whiskies, with just a hint of smouldering embers from the West Coast. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is made for those unforgettable nights out with amazing friends.
Enjoy Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve in any way you like – on its own, with a dash of water, or along with your favourite mixer.
FLAVOURS
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is known for its creamy smoothness. It opens with a luxurious burst of delicate nectar and gentle smokiness that develops into sweet fruits and deeper, velvety, honeyed tones before giving way to sublime, lingering whispers of smoke and oakiness in the finish.
STORY
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is the Celebration Blend, a personal creation of Master Blender Jim Beveridge for very special nights out with very special friends. Included in the blend is the Clynelish Single Malt, whose distillery was fed with water from hills where gold was once discovered. Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is every bit as luxurious and indulgent as its name suggests.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve has won several major awards, including four Le Monde Selection Grand Golds and four Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
What Gary Says
Nose: Rich with sponge cake, peaches, plums, heather, vanilla, honey, floral with poached pears
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, fruity, peaches, bit of earthiness underlying tropical fruit notes (kiwi?), blackcurrants, blackberries and pepper spice.
Finish: Moderately long with fruit notes, pepper spice and vanilla.
Comments: A nice, balanced dram that’s fruity with a bit of earthiness (wouldn’t go so far to say ‘peaty’). The palate bends towards tart fruits, and it takes a bit of water well, dropping the pepper spice edge a bit and rounding out the mouthfeel. This is really just the newer version of the Johnnie Walker Gold Label that dropped the 18 year age statement years ago (but added ‘Reserve’, so there’s that!) I don’t recall the 18 year version, but Rich’s review from 14 years earlier had the same price point – which tells you it isn’t the same. But for the price point I thought it was pretty good.