Review 126: Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18

Carrying on with the Johnnie Walker blends, here is the 18 year old Gold Label. This is different from the new version of Gold Label, which carries no age statement. Someday I'll have to review the new version... That's further down the road, though. My next review will be the much-discussed Blue Label.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label 18

Color: Amber +0

ABV: 40%

Aroma Neat:
Floral Honey, Beeswax, Pollen, Raw Vanilla, Cocoa Powder, Dried Malt, Heather, Toasted Oak, Sap/Wood Sugars, Dried Apples, Nutmeg, Lemon (very slightly), Wood Smoke, Raisins, Brown Sugar (slight), Cork/Cardboard.

What a step up! This is a really gentle, but characterful nose. It reminds me very much of vatted Green Label, minus the peat.

Aroma Water:
Barrel Char/Ash, Dry Peat, Floral Honey, Vanilla, Lemon/Pith (slightly), Dried Apples, Beeswax, Raisins (golden and regular), Brown Sugar, Cooked Grains/Oatmeal, Dutch Cocoa/Chocolate Shavings, Nuttiness/Hazelnuts, Caramel, Malted Barley.

Swims alright, but bottling at even 3% higher ABV would really help this dram out. All is not lost though, things just get quieter. So, be gentle with the water. I don't really think this dram needs much if any, but you should experiment for yourself. Quite malty after a few minutes.

Taste Neat:
Wild Honey, Tannic Oak, Vanilla, Dry Peat, Ash/Barrel Char, Brown Sugar/Caramel, Stewed Apples, Cinnamon, Sweet Wort/Cooked Cereal.

Now there is some more peat. Now this is very much like a gentler version of Green Label. Quite tasty stuff.

Taste Water:
Honey, Sappy Oak, Beeswax, Vanilla (slightly), Baked Apples/Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Hazelnuts, Cocoa Powder, Mineral, Barrel Char.

The palate is similar to neat, but less peaty. A drop or two of water perhaps makes this a tad more expressive.

Finish:
Peat, Sweet Barrel Char, Tingly Oak, Spiced Honey, Wax.

Very tasty finish, which lasts for a medium duration.

Conclusion:
Complex nose which is supremely balanced.

Engaging palate with plenty of dimension.

Rather excellent finish, especially for a blend at 40%.

Rating: 85/100

Gold Label 18 is a very good blend. I think this is rather neak-and-neck with Green Label in terms of quality any my enjoyment. Now I'm very curious to see how the new NAS Gold Label, and the totally new Platinum Label, stack up...

Josh