Johnnie Walker Red Label Whiskey: A Cheap Price, But at What Cost to Your Taste Buds?
Johnnie Walker Red Label is one of the best-selling and best-loved blended Scotch whiskeys in the world, and the reason is quite simple: the very affordable cost. A 1 liter bottle costs 17 euros—a really attractive price if you consider that 1 liter of pure, high-quality alcohol costs 20-22 euros.
But if we are to be honest, the attractions of Johnnie Walker Red Label whiskey begin and end with the very low price.
Scents are medicinal, but in a non-flattering sense, it feels like smelling a betadine-style wound healing syrup or tincture. The taste is burnt alcohol with few nuances, not very incisive, little aromatic push, heat, and a very short sip that cuts off my tongue and doesn’t make you want to drink.
It is with a little sadness that we talk about this red-label Johnnie Walker whiskey, because we didn’t even want to make a single page for this, which is considered the entry-level product of the Walker distilleries.
If we have raved about other Walker whiskeys such as the extra-special black label bottled in 1970 or the green label and the blue, this red does not even reach full insufficiency. Simply put, it is undrinkable; if you want to feel the warmth of alcohol, that’s fine; spit it out; everything makes broth.But in terms of pleasure, we are not there at all.
How Johnnie Walker Red Label whiskey is made
The blend started out as a bland mix of malt and grain Scotch whiskey. Its goal is to find a good balance between the light flavors of the grain whiskey and the elegance of the malt whiskey.The idea is good, the result less so. The aging of Johnnie Walker red label whiskey is never declared, and the alcohol content is the union minimum of 40 degrees.
Organoleptic characteristics
The nose is very strong, and it starts off with notes of unripe fruit, light floral, and light cream. Then, smoky notes come in, followed by a dominant herbal-medicinal note that doesn’t let go and gives way to harder, sharper ethereal lacquer tones. There are few spices, and the malt is not felt. Don’t even think for a second about perceiving the pleasantness of a black or green label; the quality is not in the least comparable.
The flavor of the Red Label is dry and short on the sip, but at least it is direct and without frills. Spicy tips showing medium structure and a very light step, with the heat diminishing in a finish of herbs, dried figs, and apple. Still, this annoying medicinal taste rages. Sin.
How to Serve Johnnie Walker Red Label Whiskey
Add a spoonful of water to bring out the most floral and delicate scents. This way, it will at least improve a little and be less rough in the mouth. If you want, you can also put two ice cubes; with the tongue a little anesthetized, it goes down better.
What cocktails to make with Johnnie Walker Red Label whiskey
Since it’s cheap, at least I can make cocktails with it, you say… But no, its bland taste tends to disappear if you mix it with overpowering ingredients. There are only four cocktails that save it, thanks to the many ingredients they cover, such as the Blood and Sand, the Rob Roy, the Rusty Nail, and the Godfather. The last two are acceptable, but the credit goes to Drambuie and the amaretto liqueur, which save the barn with their aromatic sweetness. You could also put some kerosene in it to make drinkable cocktails.
Johnnie Walker red label whiskey price
17 euros for the 1-liter bottle; if you buy it for the Molinella bowling club or a social counter for ex-railroad workers, it fits; if you have a serious place, forget it. It seems incredible to say, but it is even better on the shelves of large retailers. If you have a club, the minimum from which to start as a basic whiskey to offer is the black label; it costs 28 euros, but it is much tastier, 10 times.
Pairings
Chocolate, salmon terrine, brisket and pulled pork, chocolate salami, apple pie, tiramisu, and creme brulée