Time for another fun side-by-side comparison. This time, I’m putting Glenfiddich 12 year old vs Johnnie Walker Black Label. I like looking for bottles that don’t obviously belong together, but that allow me to explore completely different whisky styles and taste profiles. These comparisons can be great fun, particularly when two familiar bottles turn out to be surprisingly different.
And these two are certainly different. Glenfiddich 12 is a Speyside single malt, made from 100% malted barley at the Glenfiddich distillery. Johnnie Walker Black Label, on the other hand, is a blended Scotch whisky that combines malt and grain whiskies from different distilleries across Scotland.
The one thing they have in common? Both carry a 12 year age statement.
Glenfiddich 12 year old Whisky
With its distinctive triangular bottle, Glenfiddich has carved its name into whisky history and become one of the world’s best-known single malt Scotch whisky brands.
William Grant founded the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, in 1886. The name comes from the Gaelic words for “Valley of the Deer”, reflecting its location beside the River Fiddich. The distillery remains part of William Grant & Sons and has played an important role in bringing single malt whisky to a worldwide audience.
The Glenfiddich is matured for at least 12 years in a combination of American bourbon and European sherry casks. The result is a classic Speyside style.
It sits comfortably in the affordable single malt category on Amazon and is widely available, making it an easy bottle to recommend to someone starting their whisky journey. I have compared it with other approachable single malts over the years, including Singleton 12 year old and Glenlivet 12 year old whisky.
For food pairing, Glenfiddich 12 works particularly well with lighter flavours. Try it with smoked trout, milder cheeses or a pear and ginger crumble. It also makes a surprisingly good base for cocktails such as a Glenfiddich Apple Spritz.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Whisky
Steeped in history, Johnnie Walker has remained one of the world’s most recognisable and best-selling Scotch whisky brands. It is also a particularly interesting whisky for side-by-side comparisons because the blend brings together whisky from different parts of Scotland.
I have previously tried Johnnie Walker Black Label alongside Chivas Regal 12 and Jameson Irish whiskey, and it is always interesting to see how the different styles compare.
Johnnie Walker Black Label is a blended Scotch whisky matured for at least 12 years. The blend brings together malt and grain whiskies, with whiskies from across Scotland contributing to its overall character. It is part of the Diageo portfolio.
For me, Black Label has become something of a benchmark for an affordable blended Scotch. For food pairing, Black Label’s smoky character makes it a good match for stronger flavours. Try it with smoked chicken, salami or aged cheddar. It also works well in classic whisky cocktails such as a Penicillin or Rusty Nail.
Glenfiddich 12 vs Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky
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| Glenfiddich 12 yo | Johnnie Walker Black Label | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Single Malt Whisky | Blended Whisky |
| ABV | 43% | 43% |
| Age | 12 year old | 12 year old |
| Colour | Bright amber. | Deep polished amber |
| Nose | Pear, oak and honey. Hints of yellow apple, honey sweetness and vanilla. Florals and faint spice | Faint smoke, red berries and tropical fruit, Christmas pudding with heaps of vanilla toffee and winter spice |
| Palate | Creamy wood notes, toffee and dried fruit. A subtle hint of pear mixed with spicy cinnamon and nutmeg. A smooth, medium-bodied whisky | Smooth and rich with smoke and peat perfectly balanced with fruit, citrus flowers, oak and malt. A creamy toffee sweetness with hints of spice and cereal |
| Finish | Medium length with notes of pear, oak and spice. A lovely oily mouth feel | Long and lingering balanced between fruity sweetness, smoke, citrus peel, vanilla and warming pepper spice |
| My Rating | Excellent | Divine |
| Comments | It is a smooth, easy drinking medium bodied dram | Rich and rewarding. Full bodied |
| Pairs well with | Pear and ginger crumble, smoked trout and milder cheese | Roasted pork, charcuterie platter, smoked chicken and very dark chocolate. |
Even if you pour these two whiskies into unmarked glasses, they are remarkably easy to tell apart. On the nose, Glenfiddich 12 brings fresh pear and apple alongside vanilla and gentle oak. It has a soft sweetness, creamy character, and a touch of cinnamon.
The Black Label brings cooked red berries, Christmas pudding, peat, and smoke, with nutmeg and cloves adding warming spice. Underneath all that is a layer of toffee sweetness.
On the palate, the Glenfiddich brings fruity notes that continue, joined by dried fruit, toffee and oak. A subtle, oily nuttiness also adds texture. It has a medium body and is smooth and easy to drink, although I wouldn’t describe it as particularly complex.
On the palate, Black Label is bolder than the Glenfiddich 12 year old. Notes of peat, oak, toffee, and citrus come through, along with a malty character and warming spice. It has more weight and complexity than the Glenfiddich 12 year old, although the smoke is still balanced by sweetness and fruit.
The finish on Johnnie Walker Black Label is one of my favourite things about this blend. It is long and lingering, eventually moving towards fruity sweetness, vanilla and warming pepper. The finish on the Glenfiddich is medium in length, ending with oak, cinnamon and a lovely creamy nut note.
For someone new to whisky, the Glenfiddich 12 year old is likely to be the more immediately approachable of the two. It is smooth, fruity and relatively gentle, with no significant peat or smoke to get in the way. Black Label is a different proposition. The peat and smoke give it more character and make it feel richer and more substantial.
Which Is Better Value?
Price will always vary depending on where you live, but the Glenfiddich 12 year old is generally positioned as an affordable single malt, while Johnnie Walker Black Label is an affordable blended Scotch.
If you are comparing bottles purely on price, the Black Label will probably be more affordable. But Glenfiddich is not far off with its pricing for an aged single malt whisky.
For me, the question isn’t really about which bottle is cheaper. It is about what style of whisky you want in your glass.
Final Thoughts
So, which one wins the Glenfiddich 12 year old vs Johnnie Walker Black Label battle? There isn’t a single answer. It comes down to personal preference.
Choose the Glenfiddich 12 year old if you prefer sweet, fruity, unpeated whisky and want a smooth, refreshing dram. It is an excellent introduction to single malt Scotch and an easy whisky to enjoy without overthinking it.
Choose the Johnnie Walker Black Label blended whisky if you are looking for something bolder, smokier and more complex. The combination of peat, smoke, fruit, vanilla and warming spice gives it considerably more punch.
Personally, I think this is exactly the sort of comparison that makes whisky tasting interesting. These aren’t two bottles I would normally put side by side, but doing so highlights just how different Scotch whisky can be.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Platinum Label vs Gold Label whisky
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