Last Updated on March 29, 2024 by Lydia Martin
Explore the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Price Guide. Delve into the world of this exquisite whisky blend. Discover the value of luxury and sophistication.
Aside from its remarkable logo of a striding man, it is a notable whisky because it has an exquisite combination of the rarest and most exceptional whiskies from Scotland.
Today, we’ll review Johnnie Walker Blue Label – price, history, and interesting facts you should know about this fine Scotch whisky.
Table of Contents
ToggleAll About Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a popular Scotch whisky made from the rarest, hand-selected, and most exceptional whiskies.
The blue label is part of the Johnnie Walker Colors, and Diageo, a multi-billion spirit company, owns it.
Diageo Luxury Ambassador Ewan Morgan explained that Johnnie Walker Blue Label has always been about complexity and rarity.
One (1) out of every 10,000 casks is hand-selected to be included in the blend, which means the quality is incredibly high.
The brand first released Johnnie Walker Blue Label in 1992, and until today, it has become synonymous with different luxury blended Scotch whiskies worldwide.
It represents a rigid assembly of malt and grain whiskies sourced from Scotland.
Read: Johnnie Walker Red vs Black Label
Its Production & Maturation Process
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is crafted using a rare selection of casks from Highland and Speyside distilleries, including Cardhu, Benrinnes, Clynelish, and Islay.
One of every 10,000 casks is considered good enough to be used in the rare blend.
Moreso, since it is a blended whisky, it may contain small, rare batches of whisky from distilleries that no longer operate.
After the Master Blender hand selects each cask, it is blended in small batches to complete the Scotch.
Since it does not bear an age statement, it is assumed that the blended whisky is matured longer than three years, based on the legal definition of Scotch whisky [1].
Main Ingredients
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a calculated mix of grain and single malt Scotch whisky. It may contain malted barley and other grains like rye, wheat, or corn.
The proportion of main ingredients is undisclosed because Scotch whisky is made of malts and grains from different Scotch whiskies.
Read: Johnnie Walker Blue Label vs Black Label Whisky
Official Age Statement
Johnnie Walker Blue Label does not bear an official age statement, unlike Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18-Year-Old.
However, since all Scotch whiskies should be aged at least three years in oak barrels, the blended whisky is composed of spirits aged longer than three years.
In an article by Tasting Table, Johnnie Walker’s Blue Label possibly contains a blend of whiskies aged 28 to 60.
Based on its flavor profile, it could be true because the Master Blender uses a variety of malt and grain whiskies with undisclosed age statements to achieve the goal.
Tasting Notes
- Palate – Velvety combination of rose petals, vanilla, and honey with notes of zesty orange, hazelnut, dark chocolate, and sherry
- Nose – Wonderfully mellow, dry smoke, rounded, light tobacco smoke, combined with the sweetness of raisins
- Color – Golden amber
- Finish – Luxurious, rich, long, and sophisticated Johnnie Walker’s trademark smokiness
Ownership & Distillery
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is owned by Diageo, a multinational beverage company, home to 200 brands in 180 countries.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is crafted using different rare casks from different distilleries in Highland, Speyside, Benrinnes, Cardhu, and Clynelish.
The distilleries where they source Johnnie Walker Blue Label are not disclosed, so chances are high that it came from distillers that are no longer in operation. But is Johnnie Walker Blue Label available at Costco?
Common Johnnie Walker Blue Label Prices
Brand | Size | Alcohol Proof | Average Price |
Johnnie Walker Blue Label | 750 ml | 80 | Around $248.43 |
1.75 L | Around $499.99 |
*Average prices are based on Drizly. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
Compared To Other Johnnie Walker Labels
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Black Label is part of the Johnnie Walker Colors, one of the most popular Scotch whisky on the market today.
A 750 ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label may cost you around $39.99, and it is more affordable than the Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Read: Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black Whisky
Johnnie Walker White Label
Johnnie Walker White Label is another affordable option for Scotch whisky. For around $39.99 per 750 ml, you can score the Johnnie Walker White Label on Drizly online.
The White Label features a frosted bottle sleeve influenced by the mist that covers the Far North of Westeros.
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Indulge with the smooth Johnnie Walker Red Label for approximately $35.46 per 1L bottle on Drizly online.
Johnnie Walker Red Label is a highly versatile Scotch whisky with a distinctive and bold flavor profile. It is cheaper than Blue Label but is considered one of the best-selling Scotch whiskies in the world.
Read: Johnnie Walker High Rye Whiskey Guide
Popular Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cocktail Recipes
Royal Manhattan
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Blue Label
- 0.75 oz Sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes bitters
- Maraschino cherry (garnish)
Instructions: Fill your mixing glass with ice, then combine Johnnie Walker Blue Label, vermouth and bitters. Stir well, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and serve it with a maraschino cherry. Enjoy!
Serving: 1
Red Fortune
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Johnnie Walker Blue Label
- 10 ml Homemade Smoke Black Plum Sweet Vermouth
- 5 ml Punt e Mes
- 5 ml Campari
Instructions: In a mixing glass, combine all the ingredients and stir them well. Serve and enjoy!
Serving: 1
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Blue Label so expensive?
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is renowned for its premium quality and craftsmanship, which contribute to its high price point. Several factors contribute to its expense:
Blend Complexity: Blue Label is crafted from a blend of exceptionally rare and aged whiskies from various distilleries across Scotland. The process of selecting and blending these rare whiskies requires expert skill and precision, contributing to its high cost.
Aging Process: The whiskies used in Blue Label are aged for a prolonged period, often decades, in oak casks. Extended aging results in evaporation (known as the angel’s share) and loss of volume, reducing the yield of usable whisky and increasing production costs.
Packaging and Presentation: Blue Label is presented in a luxurious packaging, including a distinctive blue glass decanter and an elegant box. The premium packaging adds to the overall cost of the product.
Brand Prestige: Johnnie Walker Blue Label is associated with prestige and exclusivity, commanding a premium price due to its status as a luxury brand. Its reputation as a symbol of sophistication and refinement contributes to its high price tag.
Limited Availability: The rarity and limited availability of certain whiskies used in Blue Label blends can also drive up the cost, as acquiring these whiskies involves navigating limited supplies and high demand.
Why is Blue Label so rare?
Blue Label is considered rare due to its limited availability and the scarcity of the whiskies used in its blend. The blend includes exceptionally rare and aged whiskies from various distilleries across Scotland, some of which have limited production and availability.
Additionally, the aging process for Blue Label involves extended maturation periods, further limiting the quantity of whisky available for blending.
As a result, Blue Label is produced in smaller quantities compared to other Johnnie Walker expressions, contributing to its rarity and exclusivity.
Which is more expensive, blue or red label?
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is typically more expensive than Johnnie Walker Red Label. Blue Label is positioned as a premium luxury whisky, crafted from rare and aged whiskies, and presented in elegant packaging, leading to a higher price point.
In contrast, Red Label is a more accessible and widely available blended Scotch whisky, known for its affordability and versatility.
The price difference between Blue Label and Red Label reflects their respective positioning within the Johnnie Walker range, with Blue Label commanding a premium for its exceptional quality and exclusivity.
What is the most expensive whiskey brand?
One of the most expensive whiskey brands in the world is The Macallan. The Macallan is renowned for its exceptional single malt Scotch whiskies, which are highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.
The Macallan’s rare and limited-edition releases, such as The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection and The Macallan Lalique Series, can command astronomical prices at auctions and specialty retailers.
Additionally, The Macallan’s reputation for producing high-quality whiskies with complex flavors and exceptional craftsmanship contributes to its status as one of the most expensive whiskey brands globally.
What is better Gold Label or Blue Label?
The comparison between Johnnie Walker Gold Label and Johnnie Walker Blue Label ultimately depends on personal preference and taste preferences. Both are premium blended Scotch whiskies from the Johnnie Walker range, but they offer different experiences:
Johnnie Walker Gold Label: Gold Label is known for its smooth and mellow character, with notes of honey, vanilla, and oak. It is aged for a minimum of 18 years, resulting in a rich and well-balanced whisky. Gold Label is often favored for its approachable flavor profile and luxurious packaging.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Blue Label is considered the pinnacle of the Johnnie Walker range, known for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. It is crafted from a blend of rare and aged whiskies, resulting in a complex and sophisticated flavor profile with hints of smoke, dried fruits, and spices. Blue Label is prized for its exclusivity and prestige, making it a popular choice for special occasions and gifts.
In terms of price, Blue Label is typically more expensive than Gold Label due to its rarity and premium positioning. However, whether one is “better” than the other is subjective and depends on individual preferences.
Which is expensive, Red or Black Label?
In the Johnnie Walker range, Black Label is typically more expensive than Red Label. Johnnie Walker Black Label is a premium blended Scotch whisky known for its depth of flavor and smoothness. It is aged for a minimum of 12 years, resulting in a complex and well-balanced whisky with notes of rich fruits, vanilla, and smoky oak.
On the other hand, Johnnie Walker Red Label is a more affordable and widely available blended Scotch whisky. It is known for its versatility and approachable flavor profile, making it suitable for mixing in cocktails or enjoying neat.
The price difference between Red Label and Black Label reflects their respective positioning within the Johnnie Walker range, with Black Label commanding a premium for its higher quality and longer aging period.
Which Johnnie Walker label is more expensive?
Among the core range of Johnnie Walker labels, Blue Label is typically the most expensive. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is positioned as a premium luxury whisky, crafted from rare and aged whiskies, and presented in elegant packaging.
Its exceptional quality, exclusivity, and prestigious reputation contribute to its higher price point compared to other labels in the range.
Why is Black Label expensive?
Johnnie Walker Black Label is considered a premium blended Scotch whisky, and its higher price is attributed to several factors:
Aging Process: Black Label is aged for a minimum of 12 years, which contributes to its depth of flavor, complexity, and smoothness. The extended aging period requires additional time and resources, contributing to its higher cost.
Blend Quality: Black Label is crafted from a blend of whiskies from various distilleries across Scotland. The blend is carefully curated to achieve a balanced and consistent flavor profile, requiring expertise and precision in the blending process.
Brand Reputation: Johnnie Walker is a globally recognized brand with a long history and reputation for producing high-quality whiskies. The brand’s prestige and heritage contribute to the perceived value of Black Label, supporting its higher price point.
Packaging and Presentation: Black Label is presented in distinctive packaging, including its iconic square bottle and slanted label. The premium packaging adds to the overall perceived value of the product.
Overall, the combination of aging, blend quality, brand reputation, and packaging contributes to the higher price of Johnnie Walker Black Label compared to other whiskies in the range.
Why is Blue Label so famous?
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is famous for several reasons:
Exceptional Quality: Blue Label is crafted from a blend of rare and aged whiskies, including some of the finest and most sought-after whiskies from distilleries across Scotland. Its exceptional quality and complexity have earned it praise from whisky enthusiasts and critics alike.
Exclusivity: Blue Label is positioned as a luxury whisky, known for its exclusivity and limited availability. Its rarity contributes to its prestige and appeal among collectors and connoisseurs.
Prestigious Reputation: Blue Label is associated with sophistication, refinement, and status. Its prestigious reputation as a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship has made it a preferred choice for special occasions and gifts.
Marketing and Branding: Johnnie Walker has invested in marketing campaigns and brand promotions to elevate the status of Blue Label. Its iconic advertising campaigns, celebrity endorsements, and strategic partnerships have helped enhance its fame and recognition worldwide.
Overall, the combination of exceptional quality, exclusivity, prestige, and effective marketing has contributed to the fame and success of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Why is Blue Label famous?
Johnnie Walker Blue Label has garnered fame for several reasons:
Exceptional Quality: Blue Label is crafted from a blend of rare and aged whiskies, including some of the finest and most sought-after whiskies from distilleries across Scotland. Its exceptional quality and complexity have earned it praise from whisky enthusiasts and critics alike.
Exclusivity: Blue Label is positioned as a luxury whisky, known for its exclusivity and limited availability. Its rarity contributes to its prestige and appeal among collectors and connoisseurs.
Prestigious Reputation: Blue Label is associated with sophistication, refinement, and status. Its prestigious reputation as a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship has made it a preferred choice for special occasions and gifts.
Marketing and Branding: Johnnie Walker has invested in marketing campaigns and brand promotions to elevate the status of Blue Label. Its iconic advertising campaigns, celebrity endorsements, and strategic partnerships have helped enhance its fame and recognition worldwide.
Overall, the combination of exceptional quality, exclusivity, prestige, and effective marketing has contributed to the fame and success of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
Which is better, Blue Label or Black Label?
The comparison between Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Johnnie Walker Black Label is subjective and depends on personal preference and taste preferences.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Blue Label is positioned as a premium luxury whisky, crafted from rare and aged whiskies. It is known for its complex flavor profile, smoothness, and prestige. Blue Label is often favored for special occasions and gifts due to its exclusivity and exceptional quality.
Johnnie Walker Black Label: Black Label is considered a premium blended Scotch whisky, aged for a minimum of 12 years. It offers a rich and well-balanced flavor profile with notes of fruit, vanilla, and smoky oak. Black Label is prized for its versatility and approachable taste, making it suitable for various occasions.
Ultimately, whether Blue Label or Black Label is “better” depends on individual preferences, budget, and the occasion for which the whisky is intended.
In A Nutshell
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an ultra-premium blended Scotch whisky and one of the rarest whiskies on the market today.
Each of the casks used to craft the whisky is sourced from different distilleries around the Scottish whisky region and is hand-selected by the Master Blender.
The elusive quality, flavor, and character justify the Johnnie Walker Blue Label price. Truly, it is an extraordinary whisky [2] you can enjoy on every extraordinary occasion.
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