Comments on: Johnnie Walker Gold vs Blue

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:56:46 +0000

I’ve been drinking bourbon, rye, Canadian, then Irish, then Scotch as I’ve progressed into Whisky over the years – in that order. I love single malts, though I admit that the field is very wide, and I’ve not penetrated it deeply. But I love Clynelish, Aran and others – and it’s only after a few years exploring single malts that I’ve come begin testing out some blends (beyond occasionally drinking Johnnie Red or Black in college).

I buy a bottle of each whisky in order to get to know it. It takes some time for me to learn a Whisky. I bought a bottle of the green. I know how much people love it. I don’t. It tastes almost bitter to me – imbalanced. I actually prefer the double black.

And I love the blue – I think it’s subtle, complex and beautiful. But I also really love the gold. I think it’s less complex and subtle than the blue, but extremely drinkable, entirely pleasant and interesting enough. I don’t get a sense of raw grain – it doesn’t seem young to me at all. It’s one of the best blends I’ve tasted, and better, in my opinion, than many single malts.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:02:04 +0000

Several of us middle class, white collar types blind tasted JW Blue, Gold, Green and Black. Gold came out as the favorite, no matter how many times we tried it…but what fun.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:53:09 +0000

Newer Scotch afiocinado here. Been exploring blended and single malt Scotch’s for 2 yrs now. Got into Scotch, after Scotch tasting with my buddies dad in his wine cellar. 50+ Scotch’s, mostly single malts. Current favorites- Johnny Green for blended and Singleton for single malts. Just bought Johnny Gold yesterday and was surprised to find one ice cube seemed to overdilute it. Will try it neat tonight. Love the vanilla that lingers on the tongue after each sip of Green. Your thoughts?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:38:14 +0000

Excellent! To celebrate a promotion, I just got a bottle of JW Gold. JW Double Black is my go-to whisky but the Gold was on sale. I’m enjoying but it but I’m slightly underwhelmed. I said many of the things you did: a little medicinal, bit flat on the palette, and the peat finish is enjoyable but short lived.

Oh well. JW is a lot like sex. Even when it isn’t the best, it’s still pretty damn good.

By: EricH

EricH — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:51:42 +0000

Keep in mind the Glenlivet Nadurra is the cheapest cask strength single malt whisky on the market so it is my choice for introducing beginners to the style. It’s definitely my favorite of the Glenlivet range.

By: Scotch Hobbyist

Scotch Hobbyist — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:53:40 +0000

I’m with you, Graham. I prefer the Glenlivet across the board over Glenfiddich in the under 21 range. The Glenfiddich 15 is a big step up from their 12 year, and I like it a lot. However, The Glenlivet trumps it with the combination of 15 Year French Oak Reserve (cheaper than ‘fiddich 15) and Nadurra 16 year (slightly more expensive).

Cheers,
Jeff

By: Graham

Graham — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:57:26 +0000

How about a 12 year Geln-off: Fiddich vs Livet…which is the best stand by? I personally prefer the Glenlivet, when it comes to regularly available singles, but I notice most officianados prefer Glenfiddich. I have yet to be convinced of it’s superiority yet.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:56:00 +0000

So Dave, are you aircrew? Are you avoiding US Customs? Avoiding Customs is not a military benefit.

- Your law enforcement friend

By: Scotch Hobbyist

Scotch Hobbyist — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 07:53:16 +0000

Thanks for the great comments, tspnyc!

You definitely seem to “get” the Blue Label and what they’re trying to accomplish. I agree that the Green Label is most interesting of the Johnnie Walker line, and the one that led me to Talisker, which I love.

Cheers,
Jeff

By: tspnyc

tspnyc — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:14:40 +0000

I am drinking Gold at this very minute. A gift.

I agree with much of what the reviewers said. Thanks for taking the time.

I think Blue was designed specifically to be “the smoothest scotch in the world”. I won’t say they succeeded but it is all about smoothness.

For some people that matters most.

Gold is subtler but spicier, if also subtle in that direction. It is clearly intended to be enjoyed straight up as more than drop of water really dilutes it.

Yes, if you are used to drinking heavy duty single malts from the islands then these will all seem “watered down”. Part of the blenders art is balance and subtly. Peaty smoke monsters these are not.

Actually I prefer Green of all the Johnny Walkers. It is richer, peatier and maltier, but with a wisp of sea salt.

I am happy it is cheaper than the Gold and much cheaper than the Blue.

The malts used to create Green Label are Caol Ila, Linkwood, Cragganmore and Talisker. Other than Talisker, I like Green Label better than any of the other ones by themselves. But I am primarily a single malt drinker and I think the did a great job getting subtle touches of each malt..

I am happy to drink Black too when there is nothing better available. I suspect it has a fair amount of Cardhu in it and possibly Lochnagar, which is the main whisky in Blue Label.

Red was intended for mixing and has the youngest and most peppery flavor.