Johnnie Black vs Green

**verminisjk** · 08-19-2009, 02:24 PM

Hi,

I just finished my bottle of everyday scotch (not that I drink everyday, but everyday as in not a particular occasion

ok, maybe I drink everyday) and I was wondering what to buy next. I'm going for a blend this time and I want to try either the Black or the Green (Johnnie Walker) and I was wondering which one I should buy.

Is the green worth the extra pennies? That is the question.

**Johnny Dale** · 08-19-2009, 02:27 PM

I believe Green Label is a single malt. Try the Gold Label it is very nice. Very smooth!

**Obsessed** · 08-19-2009, 02:32 PM

I think the Green is excellent, and I definitely prefer it to the Black by a large margin. I have to confess that I'm not really sure how much more expensive it is, however, because I got my bottle of Green as a gift.

Originally Posted by Johnny Dale

I believe Green Label is a single malt. Try the Gold Label it is very nice. Very smooth!

The Green is actually a "vatted malt," i.e a blend of single malts. I think a "regular" blend like the Black Label includes other types of whiskies; I leave it to the experts here to fill in the details.

**BigRich** · 08-19-2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Johnny Dale

I believe Green Label is a single malt. Try the Gold Label it is very nice. Very smooth!

Green Label is a Vatted or Blend Malt as opposed to Black Label which is a Blended Scotch. The difference is that Green Label doesn't contain any grain alcohol, only a blend or vatting of single malts. In my opinion it is worth seeking out the Green Label over Black Label. That said, there are a number of single malts in the Green Label price range that I prefer. If you'd like to venture toward the single malt side then the guys here can suggest a multitude of good choices.

**boboakalfb** · 08-19-2009, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by BigRich

Green Label is a Vatted or Blend Malt as opposed to Black Label which is a Blended Scotch. The difference is that Green Label doesn't contain any grain alcohol, only a blend or vatting of single malts. In my opinion it is worth seeking out the Green Label over Black Label. That said, there are a number of single malts in the Green Label price range that I prefer. If you'd like to venture toward the single malt side then the guys here can suggest a multitude of good choices.

Yep...

**Confuzius** · 08-19-2009, 03:02 PM

I'd say if you want to stick with JW, skip the green and go gold, much, much nicer.

**Aaron01** · 08-19-2009, 03:11 PM

Green Label is a little disappointing to me, the pallate wasn't as robust as I had hoped for. It is very smooth and I prefer it over the Black Label, but I probably won't buy it again. I have yet to try the Gold Label...

**Luc** · 08-19-2009, 03:46 PM

I think that Johnny Walker mix their single malts to get the red/blue/gold/black/geen and blue. None of them are 'single malt' unmixed.

I can't say anything about the black or green but I tried the Blue... JW Scotch is not for me... I don't like the aftertaste in scotch...

You should have a Scotch/Whiskey bar somewhere in Quebec City. I would recommend trying a few of them. That's what I did here, some excusions are a bit pricey but I prefer paying for a glass than being stuck with a whole bottle I don't like.

**tblech** · 08-19-2009, 04:43 PM

I drink daily, except when I am working...

**Gruder** · 08-19-2009, 05:05 PM

Of those two, I vastly prefer the green to the black.

BTW, if you live in a major metropolitan area, it might be worth your while to sign up for the JW Striding Man Society (see their website). They do a tasting tour from time to time that is definitely an event worth attending (free, even!). It's fun to walk through life knowing what Johnnie Blue tastes like.

**Parataxis** · 08-19-2009, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by BigRich

Green Label is a Vatted or Blend Malt as opposed to Black Label which is a Blended Scotch. The difference is that Green Label doesn't contain any grain alcohol, only a blend or vatting of single malts. In my opinion it is worth seeking out the Green Label over Black Label. That said, there are a number of single malts in the Green Label price range that I prefer. If you'd like to venture toward the single malt side then the guys here can suggest a multitude of good choices.

That's the difference, aye. I'd add though, that if you are looking at a vatted malt, there are a number of other ones around (the Peat Monster being a personal favourite) that have different flavour profiles.

**airplanedoc** · 08-19-2009, 05:11 PM

+1

Green Label is a little disappointing to me

I found it really flat.

**Erebos** · 08-19-2009, 07:27 PM

The green is better than the black, but I'm not really a fan of anything from JW. Their green, gold, and blue are all fine whiskies, but for the price you pay for a bottle you could get a much, much better single malt.

**Brodirt** · 08-19-2009, 07:31 PM

Green is very heavy...I see it as a winter drink. I think JWB is the best all around blended scotch, and maybe any scotch, available. I do agree with the above though that the Gold is a better choice than the Green if you are stepping up. I have found myself with a bottle of Blue on several occasions and it was good, yes, but I never liked it. Its almost too good and I kept saying that I would rather have the nice mouth feel of black. Gold is in between the black and the blue. It still doesn't have that same satisfying mouth feel though.

**johnniegold** · 08-19-2009, 07:47 PM

I would recommend two bottles of the Johnnie Gold. (shocking, I know

) One at room temperature and one in the freezer.

**Parataxis** · 08-19-2009, 07:48 PM

I've never had ice-cold whiskey before. What's it like?

**johnniegold** · 08-19-2009, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Parataxis

I've never had ice-cold whiskey before. What's it like?

Syrupy goodness.

http://us.johnniewalker.com/home.htm...bels/goldlabel

**dpm802** · 08-19-2009, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Gruder

BTW, if you live in a major metropolitan area, it might be worth your while to sign up for the JW Striding Man Society (see their website). They do a tasting tour from time to time that is definitely an event worth attending (free, even!). It's fun to walk through life knowing what Johnnie Blue tastes like.

I'm a member of the JW SMS ... I get eMailings from them every couple of weeks, especially around holidays. They are always filled with hints and tips on how to take a great Scotch and turn it into something awesome.

I haven't been to one of their tastings, but its on my bucket list.

I regularly drink Black on rocks when I'm out dancing ... since that is what is available at my favorite nightclub. It gets me just enough drunk pretty quickly, and I sober up fast for the drive home, and there's never any hangover.

For at home use, I think the Green is a better choice. About $15 more per 750ml bottle, but worth it. Much smoother, more kick. I drink it over a single ice-cube, and pour in just enough to cover the cube. This gives roughly a 1:1 ratio of Scotch to water. Let it sit for a minute for the cube to start melting and the water will open up the Scotch. Sip slowly, and try to finish the Scotch at the same time that the ice fully dissolves.

I've never tried the Gold, but I think I'll splurge before the end of the year.

Speaking of splurging, I've got my plans to indulge in a bottle of 60yo Blue when I turn 60yo in 2014. I might be retiring that year, too, so it will be even more of a celebration.

**TimmyBoston** · 08-20-2009, 12:49 AM

The Black is a rocks Scotch. The Green is a vatted malt. It's a mediocre pour with an inflated price tag.

**Brodirt** · 08-20-2009, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by dpm802

I haven't been to one of their tastings, but its on my bucket list.

I've been to at least a half dozen tastings. It was a great event when you got 375ml bottles to take home and/or they were pouring Blue at the bar before the event. They dropped both of those after a while and gave you a few small bottle of black and red to take home.

Its a decent event, but not a bucket list item.