Johnnie Walker 18 year old Platinum Label Whisky

This week’s whisky is a blend again, and this week I chose the Johnnie Walker Platinum Label 18 year old blended Scotch whisky. I have rated various Johnnie Walker releases, and you can read my thoughts on the Johnnie Walker King George V, and the  Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky here.

The Johnnie Walker Platinum Label whisky was the first new ‘colour’ to be released in many years, and it was initially introduced only into the travel retail. This release was brought out to replace the iconic  Johnnie Walker Gold Label whisky and fits in next to the Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

With a mix of malts around 18 years old, it is Diageo’s competing product in the 18 year old single malt market. John “Johnnie” began by selling whisky from a grocery shop in Ayrshire, Scotland. John Walker’s grandsons, Alexander Walker II and George Walker, established the colour-based naming system.  Johnnie Walker Red Label launched in 1909. The colour based system extended from there.

The Johnnie Walker Platinum Label combines a limited number of single malt and grain whiskies, each matured for a minimum of 18 years. According to Diageo, this release is blended in the elegant sweet Speyside style.

Related Article: Chivas Regal 12 yo whisky

Johnnie Walker 18 year old Platinum Label Whisky Review

ABV: 40%

COLOUR: A bright golden colour  It forms medium length tears on the glass.

NOSE: Toffee sweetness, brandy-soaked fruits with hints of orange and smoke. There are notes of fresh-cut flowers and butterscotch. Traces of vanilla and caramel intermingle in the background. Adding water brings out more oiliness in the Platinum.

PALATE: Medium-body whisky. There are mild spice and hints of oak on the palate. Little peaty hints in the background. It is a sweet and easy-drinking whisky. The Platinum Label has bits of florals, malt, cinnamon and oranges intermingling with smoke. It is not the most complex whisky.

FINISH: Medium length and ends in notes of orange and spice.

RATING: VERY GOOD

Platinum Label is an easy-drinking whisky with notes of spice, wood and sweetness. This release does not quite have the bold character it would need to compete against some well known 18 year old single malts.

In 2017, Diageo rebranded and renamed the Platinum Label to Johnnie Walker 18 year old. The spirit inside remains the exact same blend created by master blender Dr. Jim Beveridge. It is still a blend of up to 18 different malt and grain whiskies (including Speyside and Highland malts with a touch of smoke) aged for a minimum of 18 years. Diageo retired the “Platinum” name to move toward clearer, more transparent age-statement labelling across its core collection.

The Johnnie Walker 18 year old whisky is readily available and I have spotted it on Amazon.

I have done a side by side comparison between the Platinum Label and the Johnnie Walker Gold Label blended.  Both 18 year old releases, but how do they compare?

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Also Read: Ballantine’s 12 year old Whisky