Johnnie Walker
The world's best-selling Scotch whisky, with a color for every occasion. Everything you need to know about the differences between the labels, the flavor, how to drink it, and the right whisky glass. Many people search for Johnny Walker, but the brand is spelled Johnnie.
A Scotch blend that's been traveling the world for 200 years
Johnnie Walker is a blended Scotch whisky: a mixture of malt and grain whiskies from across Scotland. It began in 1820 as John Walker's grocery store in Kilmarnock, where he blended whiskies himself to achieve a consistent flavor. His son and grandson turned it into a global brand, with slanted labels and a square bottle as its trademarks.
Today, Johnnie Walker is the world's best-selling Scotch and is owned by Diageo. The colors on the label indicate the style and age: from the bold Red Label for mixing to the rare Blue Label for drinking neat. A hint of smoke is characteristic of the brand, coming mainly from the Islay malts in the blend.
In brief
What types of Johnnie Walker are there?
The color says it all: the further along the range, the older and smoother the whiskies in the blend, and the higher the price.
Red Label
The entry-level bottle and the world's best-selling Scotch. Bold, spicy, and lightly smoky. Made for mixing.
Black Label
The icon: whiskies from all over Scotland, aged for at least 12 years. Smoke, dried fruit and vanilla in balance.
Double Black
Black Label with more Islay whisky and more heavily charred casks. Darker, smokier and more intense.
Green Label
Malt whiskies only, aged for at least 15 years. Spicy, fresh and woody, with Talisker and Cragganmore in the blend.
Gold Label Reserve
Creamy and honey-sweet, with a touch of smoke. Also delicious ice-cold from the freezer, as the brand itself recommends.
Blue Label
The pinnacle of the range: a blend of rare, old whiskies. Velvety smooth and full-bodied, with a long, smoky finish.
Red Label for mixing, Black Label for everything after that.
Smoky, fruity and smoothly balanced
Smoke, dried fruit & vanilla
A touch of peat smoke up front, followed by raisins, apple and sweet vanilla from the oak.
Rounded and lightly spicy
Smooth and full-bodied, with caramel, orange peel and a spicy, slightly peppery note from the grain whisky.
Long and smoky
The smoke lingers longest, with a little dry wood. Even more pronounced in Double Black.
Johnnie Walker Black Label flavor profile. Red Label is spicier and lighter, Double Black smokier, and Blue Label smoother.
Three ways to drink Johnnie Walker
Blended Scotch is made to be versatile: neat, on the rocks or in a highball. The glass determines how much of the smoke and fruit you taste.
Neat
Black Label or higher in a tulip-shaped tasting glass, 30 to 40 ml, at room temperature. A drop of water opens up the whisky and brings out the smoke.
Glass: tasting glass →On the rocks
Black or Double Black over one large ice cube in a heavy tumbler. The ice softens the whisky; small cubes melt too quickly and water it down.
Glass: tumbler →Highball
50 ml of Red or Black Label with 150 ml of ginger ale or soda water in a highball glass filled with ice. The way Johnnie Walker is almost always enjoyed in Asia.
To the highball recipe →The best cocktails with Johnnie Walker
Whisky Sour
Whisky, lemon, sugar and egg white, shaken hard. Black Label gives it a smoky edge.
Penicillin
Blended Scotch, honey-ginger syrup and lemon, topped with a layer of smoky whisky.
Rusty Nail
Scotch and Drambuie over ice. Two Scottish ingredients, one simple recipe.
Old Fashioned
Usually made with bourbon, but Black Label makes it drier and smokier. Sugar, bitters and an orange zest.The right glass for Johnnie Walker
A heavy tumbler for on the rocks, a tulip glass for tasting neat and a long drink glass for highballs. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Johnnie Walker
Can't find your question here? Browse our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What's the difference between Johnnie Walker Red and Black Label?
What percentage alcohol is Johnnie Walker?
Is Johnnie Walker a single malt?
What's the best way to drink Johnnie Walker?
Which Johnnie Walker makes the best gift?
How long does an opened bottle of Johnnie Walker keep?
Buy Johnnie Walker
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Johnnie Walker online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 19 varieties, 9 of which are on sale.
Prices as of November 6, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can check the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it doesn't cost you anything extra. No 18, no alcohol.
