Ctrexman
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
Blended — Scotland
Reviewed
March 2, 2021 (edited January 19, 2022)
These higher end blends are designed to be rich and smooth without any rough edges or spikey flavor delivery. This hits those marks with ease. Nose has plenty of honey and malt with a light smoke and some oak all combined nicely. Palate is more of the same with added gentle floral and fruit. Its pretty seamless as intended. Finish is where it goes awry for me. Sharp drop off from palate with a dry heavy tannic close. Honey, smoke and malt remain but way too quick and over oaked imo. This seems to run $60-70 and at that price doesn't really stand a chance with an experienced scotch guy. Its for beginners and the masses which is fine, I get it marketing. The Green label crushes this in every way........82/100.... a tasty easy pour but Ill pass
65.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@Ctrexman Actually do half-and-half Gold Reserve and Black - not a bad concoction
I havent had that but I would imagine so. The 18 and Blue both do....Id even take Black over this for the $
I'm guessing the celebratory blend crushes this too
I have a bottle, gifted, and haven’t opened it yet. I have a bias towards JW as it was my starter scotch. But I don’t think I would drop my hard earned pay on this based upon yours and prior reviews. Nicely done!
The old gold label when it had the 18yr statement on it (before JW ruined everything by making gold NAS and introducing platinum) is one of the best sip-for-taste blends I've ever tried. I've never had this one, but everyone's writing on it makes me conclude it ain't half of what old gold was. I've got one bottle left, but its probably going to sit for 25 years until I have a kid getting married or something, its my favorite blend.
I’ve been wondering about this one. It won’t go on my shopping list, but maybe one to try at a bar someday.