Is Gold Label better than Blue?

Discover the differences between Johnnie Walker Gold Label vs Blue Label in this in-depth comparison and decide which is better for you!

• Johnnie Walker Gold Label
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label vs Gold Label: Price comparison
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label vs Gold Label: which is better?

• Nose: Honeyed rich in caramel and nutmeg notes.
• Palate: Quite smooth, sweet rich in vanilla notes and easy to sip.
• Finish: Long and sweet.

The nose is somewhat rough as it has a touch of alcohol but quickly fades away if you let it breathe. Caramel sweetness and nutmeg notes come late to the party.

Flavor is smooth, with plenty of honey, malt, light smoke and just a little peppery dash.

Gold Label has a smoky aftertaste, rich in oak and honey, with a bit of pleasant warmth and a bitter hint.

Overall, the Gold Label is not the most complex of whiskies but also hard to dislike. This is an easy drinker, pleasantly warm and soothing.

The Gold Label feels like a tuned-down version of the Black Label, as if the edges have been made smoother making it easier to sip.

Learn how it compares to the Green Label!

There are a few facts worth knowing about the Gold Label:

• Bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV).

• Gold Label is a blend. The whisky is crafted by blending various grain and single malts whiskies coming from all across Scotland.

• Gold Label does not show an age statement. Johnnie Walker does not disclose the minimum aging period of the whiskies in the blend.

• The Gold Label is relatively new as it was introduced to the United States in 2013. This whisky came as a substitute to the good old Johnnie Walker 18 that had an age statement.

• Johnnie Walker does not share information on the exact sources and percentages that make the Gold Label. What we know is that a promiment amount of the blend comes from the Clynelish distillery, renowned for producing great single malts.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

• Nose: Oak, dried fruit, berry fruits, citrus.
• Palate: Creamy, caramel, light smoke, chocolate notes, malt
• Finish: Sweet, light smoke, dried fruit.

The nose offers oak at first, followed by a light smoky note. There are hints of berries and citrus coming behind.

On the palate, the Blue Label feels creamy, rich in caramel up-front, followed by a malty flavor and a hint of chocolate. There is a bit of smoke making it incredibly rewarding.

The finish has a solid length, light in oak and smoke with a rich dried fruit note.

I would summarize the Blue Label by saying “smooth, smoky and delicious”.

This is a super smooth whisky yet quite flavorful with more peat than I was expecting but still just a hint and nothing off-putting for those who are not into peaty whisky.

The Blue Label is remarkably gentle on the palate, very smooth, slightly sweet with smoky cigar-like aftertaste. It does not burn as it goes down easy and nicely.

This whisky could definitely use more proof (ABV) and become a much better offering; a mere 80 proof (40% ABV) is too low for a whisky at this price.

There are a few facts worth knowing about the Blue Label:

• Bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV).

• Johnnie Walker is a blend of grain whiskies and a blend of malt whiskies from different distilleries; this is not a single malt Scotch.

• Blue Label has no age statement. Johnnie Walker does not disclose the minimum aging of the whiskies that comprise the blend.

• According to the information provided by Johnnie Walker only 1 in 10,000 casks is selected to be part of the blend. It makes me think that Johnnie Walker must have a zillion casks in storage as the Blue Label is everywhere to be found as every duty free store in the world carries a generous stock.

• Each bottle of Blue Label is offered in a silk-lined box with a certificate of authenticity and a serial number. It makes a good token!

Related article: Johnnie Walker Green Label vs Blue Label: Which is Better for You?

Johnnie Walker Blue Label vs Gold Label: Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Johnnie Walker Blue Label vs Gold Label: which is better?

The Blue Label is Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label, but the Gold Label is the best for newbies

• Blue Label is the best Johnnie Walker Whisky. This is an amazing dram and the king of blends. It is pricy for a low proof whisky without age statement but its delicious.

• Gold Label is not bad, it tastes pretty much like a friendlier Black Label but for that money you can get several better whiskies with similar characteristics.

Also read: Discover the Best Johnnie Walker Label

I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should!