For those who hate on J. W. Red for not being J. W. Black, it’s like hating on Coruba rum for not being Smith & Cross. Sure, both are the same basic style of spirit, but they are aiming at different uses, and have very different prices. For $15 I am thrilled to mix with Coruba, and will save the $40 Smith & Cross for something special. In the exact same way, I will happily use the $20 J. W. Red, and save the $45 bottles for something more spirit focused. J. W. Red isn’t a great whisky, but it is fine, and fills a role, the same role as Famous Grouse, or Dewars, not the bottom shelf, but a work horse.