Johnnie Walker Red Label Review: Discovering Liquid Gold

Experience the taste of Scotland that's bold, vibrant, and full of character

When I'd just hit the legal drinking age in Singapore, I remember swiping my father's bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label. This blended whisky tasted like golden buttered toast with a sharp, peppery aftertaste when sliding down my throat.

After close to a decade behind the bar, I decided to revisit the old friend. So, with a tumbler in my hand and nostalgia in my heart, I'll lead you through the ins and outs of Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky.

History

It all began in 1820 when a young farmer named John Walker inherited his father's grocery store in Kilmarnock, Scotland. Then, a stroke of luck came from the 1823 Excise Act, which encouraged selling spirits directly to consumers.

Walker soon realised a market for high-quality blended whiskies, so he began experimenting with spirits from various distilleries. Finally, in 1825, he launched his first commercial product, Walker's Kilmarnock Whisky.

Alexander Walker II—John Walker's grandson—took over the business in 1856 and continued his grandfather's work to blend whiskies from various distilleries and create a consistent and unique flavour profile. This innovation propelled the brand to premium status and laid the foundation for its international success.

Pioneer Blend To Ignite Your Spirit

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Buy Now

Key Features

• Classification

  Blended scotch whisky

• Location

  Kilmarnock, Scotland

• Made From

  A blend of malt and grain whiskies

• Price

  $73 ($59.50 member price)

• ABV

  40%

The Process of Creation

1. Malting: The distillers malt the barley, which involves steeping the grains in water to convert them into sugar.
2. Mashing: They mash the malted barley with hot water to extract the fermentable sugars.
3. Fermentation: Yeast is then added to the mash to begin fermentation, which converts the sugars into alcohol.
4. Distillation: The fermented mash is distilled, which concentrates the alcohol content and removes impurities. The process is typically done twice using copper stills that look like a giant kettle.
5. Maturation: The resulting liquid is then transferred to oak barrels for ageing or maturation, during which it absorbs flavours and colour from the oak barrels.

The Eye, Nose, and Palate

• The Appearance

  A warm and inviting amber colour.

• The Smell

  Apricots and apples mingling with a gentle peat. There are also hints of vanilla and toffee.

• The Taste

  Malty sweetness, pepper, and peat.

• The Finish

  Fruits give way to cinnamon, pepper, and vanilla.

• The Pricing

  A one-litre Johnnie Walker Red Label bottle is typically priced at $73 in Singapore. You can get it for as low as $59.50 if you sign up for a membership with Paneco today.

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Buy Now

Final Verdict: Is Johnnie Walker Red Label Worth the Money?

Johnnie Walker Red Label offers good value for the money with its long-standing history and consistent quality. Its rich amber appearance, inviting aroma, and well-rounded taste profile are all compelling reasons to try it.

If you think this spirit won't satisfy your taste—or if you want more complex and refined options—try the Johnnie Walker extended portfolio on Paneco.

Explore Our Fine Selection of Whisky

Buy Now

FAQ

• What Mixes Well with Johnnie Walker Red Label?

  A classic Johnnie Walker Red Label is soda, which creates a refreshing and straightforward highball. You can also mix it with ginger ale if you want more sweetness in your beverage.

• How to Open Johnnie Walker Red Label?

  To open a Johnnie Walker Red Label bottle, start by removing the foil covering the top of the bottle. Next, gently twist the cork or cap counterclockwise to loosen it. Once it's loose, carefully lift it off the bottle, ensuring you don't spill any whisky.

• What Size Does Johnnie Walker Red Label Come In?

  Standard bottle sizes include 750ml, 1 litre, and 1.75 litres. Additionally, you can find smaller 50ml or 200ml miniature bottles if you want to sample the whisky before committing to a giant bottle.