whisky review 579 - Johnnie Walker Green Label re-reviewed 2016
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 เม.ย. 2016
- you can buy me a 'wee dram' at / ralfy
Bonneville 2016 World Records - saltywheels.blogspot.com
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I want to watch a movie and go to sleep but I can’t stop watching Ralfy’s whisky reviews
It's been almost six years, Ralpfy, and still, this video brings me joy!
I've just bought my first bottle of green label so this is my first time seeing the video . Great as always 😊
Can't help but smile during these videos. Ralfy was clearly having a great day when he was filming this one!
I agree on the tinted green bottle rather than messing with Scotch!
Rally, I agree the new Green label is a very different whisky than the older version. So different in fact, I originally thought I had purchased a counterfeit bottle.
I have one bottle of the original in my collection, and I'm saving it.
I always turn to your videos when I'm feeling bored. They never fail to put a smile on my face. Great work, kepp it up! :)
I enjoyed this review.One of Ralfy's best! Thank you.
The Green is back! Thank you Ralfy, you made my day! :)
As someone who never got to try the Original Green label, I will say that trying the New Green Label was a pleasant experience. I've had a fair bit of Black and Red, and when trying the Green you instantly taste and smell that Green is a step above. Imho Green is dramatically superior to Black or Red. With that said it's not better than most Single Malt's I would drink but from a blend perspective its a very solid Whiskey and very enjoyable. Plus for the price you pay, I'd be far happier sharing Green Label with non drinking Whiskey friends. They can easily tell the superiority of Green over Black or Red but also likely wouldn't appreciate something nicer from a Single Malt perspective.
***** less expensive blends the argument is obvious. It's less expensive to blend whiskey's together than it is source from one supplier. Further if you can dilute with grain whiskey that's cheaper than Malt. So you blend it to hit a market that doesn't want to pay what a single malt cost.You could also create a unique taste, perhaps something that malts can't do that might not be appealing to the typical scotch drinker but might be something a casual whiskey drinker likes.
Hmmm, you blend it to make something that cannot be done with a single malt. It can be engineered in any direction the maker wants. You should taste the Hibiki 12 if you don't think blends can ever outgun single malts.
your assessment is spot on IMO. The most expensive non single malt I will buy.
I dislike most dark liquor. I'm a vodka snob.
Having said that, I don't like American whiskey, like Jack.
I've had cheap "scotch", Lauders and grand macnish... disgusting.
I bought a bottle of Black label...drank it 3 different ways. While I did find a combination I preferred, I could still taste the grain whiskey aspect, which I didn't find unpleasant, just not great. Probably because I'm so accustomed to the taste of grain alcohol. Vodka be damned.
I look forward to trying green label.
We all appreciate your unvarnished candor Ralfy!
This is my grandfathers favorite scotch. I still have a corked bottle in the house from a couple years ago. The new green is a little different but still good. I agree with Ralfy this is my favorite walker scotch and I think better than the blue.
It may not be the same as it once was, but I liked the older versions and I love the latest version. Yes, it's different but not in a bad way, just a little more fruity and a softer finish (probably due to less Talisker in the blend?). Still great value where I live and can pick up a bottle at under $50. Better to buy JW Green than some of the over priced Scotches like Macallan IMOy
ralfy's in a good mood this morning, enjoyable as always my friend!
When it was discontinued, I bought a few bottles of the older generation. I picked up one of the newer gen and tried it this evening. If course, I was delighted to see your revisited review. One day I'll put them side to side. Cheers!
Love to see a short video comparing old Green Label, which was my favorite whisky, and new green label at the same time in 2016 with Ralphy's 2016 pallet.
A fine review... I was noseing and sipping (and still am) some Green Label right along with you from four or five years ago before the discontinuation, and your description was spot on... Last August, I put a bottle of the new one right next to the older one, and I would not have been able to tell the difference between them had they not been poured, nosed, and tasted side-by-side at the same time. A bottle from ten or fifteen years ago would be interesting to compare with a new one, though, and even with the little that I have left from four or five years ago...
I managed to get an older bottling (on your recommendation Ralfy)whilst in lanzarotie. only a 20cl but it was very good. was planning on keeping it but my brother convinced me to open it. much better than I expected. love the slight peat, quite sweet, barly sugar and a good finnish bit of smoke. thanks for the recommendation
I am having Four Roses single barrel while watching this wonderful review.. many thanks
the Green is also my favorite JW, at least the bottling that I tried, even ahead of the Blue.
Had a bottle of this around 2009, and it was amazing back then. Just bought a new bottle in 2020 and it is just as amazing as I remembered it being in 2009. Are they the same? No clue but still...so fresh, so balanced, so punchy and just so round and nice with that Johnny Walker fingerprint in perfect clarity. My brother is not even a whisky drinker and he's hooked on it!
I was wondering if it is still the same quality.....drinker the older version it’s was amazing...really as good ?
@@andrecascais9403 Yes sir, it was delightful. Just finished it off last night, it was great to the last drop.
Thank you indeed...gonna give it a try hopefully I will enjoy as much as the one from 2011 ...once cheers Malt mate 🤞🏼👌🏼
@@andrecascais9403 Cheers I hope you enjoy it! Please report back and let me know your thoughts!
I concur. 2020 purchase v 2010 - just as good.
I LOVED the old Green Label and when it went off the market, I was so upset that I actually dished out nearly 200$ to get an old bottle. 6 months later, they brought out the "new" Green Label, and I can assure you, they taste different. I am no pro at whisky tasting, but to my novice tastes, the new one is simply "immature" and seems mass produced. The older one had more depth of character and was more enjoyable. That being said, I will still get a bottle now and again, since the price point is decent for what you get.
. . . your right !
Oh really!!?? I bought a new Green bottle and I was impressed by its amazing flavour. I wish I could try the old ones.
I just actually came across a bottle of this at my local liquor store here in Pennsylvania. It's extremely rare in the US, and even more so in PA, as the state controls virtually all stores that sell wine and spirits. if they can't buy in huge quantities, they dont buy at all. somehow a couple of cases made it into the state. Green label is one that my friends have really wanted to try, as it was said to be a great pick if you wanted a good Johnnie Walker but didn't want or couldn't pay out too much cash. looking forward to my first taste
love all your stories and great detail ralfy
350ml Green Label
350ml Glen Moray 16
30 ml Ardbeg Uigeadail
Called it Green Morbeg and its 10x better.
Another alchemist in the room. Excellent.
Thanks for this review, I enjoyed it.
I was sampling my open bottle of Green label along with you and even though I have limited experience I would like to add my thoughts on the smell and tasting notes.
First, I didn't get any smoke at all in the aroma (I just didn't notice any). On the taste I was getting the slightest character of the Glenkinchie 12 that I have. It's an ever so slight, faint essence of sulfer. Other than what I perceive as a contribution from a single malt like Glenkinchie, I just get an overall pleasant (somewhat neutral) Single Malt Scotch taste (like the set of non-peated Single Malts included, somewhat averaged out).
It might be worth noting I started moving away from my initial beginner approach with Single Malts. I'm now thinking of a much smaller collection of open bottles, where after having tried a Single Malt, if it's not a stand-out or a recognized favorite when it's finished there won't be a re-purchase any time soon.
Me sampling along with you finished off the last of my Green Label and I don't think I'll be buying another bottle.
Just as example, I would re-purchase Old Pulteney 12 ($38.99), Balvenie Doublewood 12 ($57.99), Highland Park 12 ($49.99), maybe Highland Park 15 ($89.99), Glenmorangie Lasanta ($50.99), Quinta Ruban ($53.99), or even Bowmore Small batch ($37.99), but not the Johnnie Walker Green Label ($59.99).
I only mention these prices to "pay it forward" in case it's useful info. This is the price at the New Hampshire State Liquor store (in the States), US dollars.
I wonder... maybe include your price in pounds in the included text, and we could look up the current exchange rate... might be interesting.
Thanks.
Listening to you makes me feel like I’m listening to an old friend I’ve known for years.
Ralfy, your reviews ooze professionalism. Thank you, and stay malty!
Love the observation about time and our changing senses and also our points of reference over time. It rings true for me. It explains why some whisky I have enjoyed in the past seems rather lack luster when I have come back to it. I so wanted to enjoy JW Green, especially as it has been rated highly by many appraising the JW stable. Personally I found it so one dimensional, big up upfront from the Talisker but little else to my palette. I much much prefer the Platinum and Blue. (Although Blue certainly is too expensive) Cheers 🍻
I very much like the new green, even though id like no chill filtration.
While I may not always agree with you Ralfy, you sure do make drinking whisky while watching your videos something special.
+outsiderdf I think it's humorous to note that I *always* agree with Ralfy. Sorry, I can't help it, I just happen to always agree with him. (I'm independent minded, a Scientist, and Engineer, and I don't tend to go along with just anything). I just think Ralfy has always been right on when I've been watching. Ha!
Thanks for the review Ralfy. Short but sweet if I see green label for sale in a pub, I will try it, I just can't see me buying a bottle though.
I have learned from your marvellous Whisky reviews that Scotch is a poetry of taste, smell and liquid texture which leaves beautiful memories after sipping.
Green is still a good value, relatively speaking. I’m a huge Talisker and Caol Ila fan, so this is one of my go to blends. Have a very old bottle stashed away, like many others here, that I will come back to someday 😀.
I LOVE THESE REVIEWS! VERY ENTERTAINING.
I must say Ralfy, you've earned a subscriber.
I bought myself a bottle of Black label. Mind you, I'm a vodka snob.
Black label, while good when drank appropriately (various ways subjective of course), is not bad. I don't care for American whiskey. I hate cheap scotch (lauders, grand macnish, yuck!).
Being a vodka snob, the grain aspect of black label appeared very prominent. Room temp, and with two cubes, in a Brandy snifter. The nose was lovely. But I had a hard time getting past the grain aspect...that "vodka/moonshine" bite it had.
I promptly ran to the store and bought some amaretto, to make a "Godfather". Oh heaven! The smells and tastes brought out were fantastic!
Your reviews, and advice, have helped me appreciate a good scotch whiskey. I thank you!
I read a lot of complaints about the artificial coloring they use now as well. :(
I digress and must finish your re-review of Green Label.
RALFY FOR JW BREW MASTER!
Excellent review Ralfy!
Cork sound is very important, its the first thing you get from the bottle!
First thing is always the looks of the packing, and then bottle, then comes Seal and then sound of the cork popping out. 😂😂😜
Thanks for the review Ralfy. The Arran sounds like a wonderful whisky. Going to have to check out online booksellers for the smuggling book.
Ralfy is a legend, big fan from Tennessee!
Ralfy; your review was well received. I'm more familiar with listening to music. I've noticed that my aural memory is very short-lived. Maybe a minute and a half. I'm listening to sounds that are often described by my other senses, like sight. For me, smell and sound also trigger memories. Cheers! Mark Nelson
JW Green Label is my favorite. Brilliant! :) Watch your reviews with great pleasure. Thanks from Russia )
Really liking the re-reviews!
Thanks for this review! I have a couple of the old JW Green stored away so I might buy the new one and do a blind taste test :D
Well said Ralfy! I remember what Jim Beam tasted like in the 1960's and it don't taste like that now. There are better quality malts out there that are a better value for my money than Johnnie Walker, but to each their own. Glad we have a choice still.
Ooh, Ralfy, don't tell Diageo they could do more releases of Johnnie Walker, we won't be able to move for all the different versions they'll bring out!
Good honest work, as almost always
I liked your review on the Green Label.
I got me a bottle and I’m not disapointed.
Also watched Horst Luening over at Whisky.com review the Green and he actually had a bottle of the previous Green Label at hand.
He stated that he liked the new Green Label better. That’s his opinion, obviously, but I’d like to see you review them both at the same time.
Rick Prins how much was it? Was it worth $70?
It's all subjective, of course. I still have half a bottle of old Green Label, which I love. I've had it against the new stuff and I simply do not find the new Green Label as good. To me, it's not as full, not as complex. It's a bit...flatter, for lack of a better word.
Thanks for the review of JWGL.. it seems like many of the blends you re-reviewe aren't what they used to be, I'm wondering if any blend has improved in recent years, hopefully one that available and afordable... wishful thinkin on my part... thanks agian.
Great review as always ralphy, i would advice you to check The specialist dealer and online dealers for more swedish whisky.
Im really proud for the transparancy with The swedish whisky makers.
The whisky is often young but no colorant and no chillfiltration, often CS or above 47% abv.
mackmyra is one that you have tryed, but look for the swedish brand box
You're up early this Sunday, Ralfy! Lol.
Agree Ralfy. I just did a video on what a Single Malt is. Great for people just getting into it.
I picked up a bottle of this and another of JW Gold at the Las Vegas airport not a month ago. I admit to be being a little disappointed with the Green, but I'll try it with a wee bit of water! The Gold, having no age statement, was better than I was expecting, but my expectations were tempered. Thanks Ralfy!
+GrainJB You just don't see too many Saskatchewan Roughriders' logos.
I've always wanted to try Green Label. But over the years I've been able to pick up Talisker, Cragganmore, Cardhu, Caol Ila for same price per bottle or less. Sure, it's not an exact comparison but I just don't feel the value is there for the price. Given the opportunity to buy at discount I'll definitely try it, although it'll be the new version. Box has been rebranded again, not sure about the content.
Brilliant, Ralfy. Thanks!
I think a lot of this is in the mind, I had this excellent whisky simultaneously to an Oban Little bay, and the nose was NEARLY identical and the palette I found a notch more interesting on the green label. But when people watch reviews the Oban and look at the fancy bottle they're gonna say "wow, what an amazing whisky". I bet if I put this new green label in a high end single malt bottle and anyone (even you Ralfy) tried it, you'd love it or at least regard it as a fine single malt. JWG is excellent, powerful, flavourful, satisfying and competes with great whiskers at a much higher price. At 15 years old it's a bargain, unbeatable
Memory changes over time as well...
Agreed, and Ralfy notes that many times over in his reviews. However, I too wrote out tasting notes for the old version of Green Label and when I got this new version and tried it out I simply did not find many of those smell and taste notes there. So, while memories are unreliable, notes are not! And this is definitely NOT the same whisky it used to be.
And? I never said it was the same. A few reviews from people that have the two releases right in front of them say the same thing, and a number of them (along with some of the tastings I have been too that have had BOTH releases to try) say it is better than previous releases. Ever wonder why Ralfy didn't just crack open the bottle of the old release he has on hand to compare directly? Cheers.
I'd LOVE to know what you think of W.L Weller Special Reserve, it's such a good pour for so little, beautiful honey and caramel apple sweetness on the nose, followed by oakey vanilla, sip is sweet but still slightly bitey and dry, about $25 USD for a 750ml bottle, amazing pour for it's price tag.
I subscribed when you were @ 120 Videos, wow... Most prolific whiskey reviewer online! Love your commitment. "Lack luster peatyness" :)
Love your videos. Can you recommend me the best single malt whiskey under 50-60 pounds.
Thanks a lot for you, Ralfy. Your reviews are very interesting and useful. I would be very thankful you, if you would add on your reviews some subtitles.
I've still got an unopened bottle and a half-drunk bottle in the cellar. If I'm honest I haven't missed them (I got into whisky in about 2011 so bought them in the discontinuation hype) but I sense a side-by-side session coming!
Great vlog Ralfy as ever 😊
Great review!
Still have the older version bottle half filled. I love it, i learned it is good to add a spoon of distilled water to make it little bit smoother!
What do you say - the older or the newer?
Any chance nostalgia is impeding your judgement in that you enjoyed the old version more? Perhaps it is simply a pallet change. I can say it was one of my favorites in 2008 and haven't tried it since but it may not live up to my expectations of memory.
The very best and cheapest Blended Malt available in Brazil where it cost around US$50.00, sometimes a little less. Roughly the same price as the Monkey Shoulder - very good also but less "classy" and tends to a be a little boring - which costs around US$60.00/70.00 for a 1 Litre bottle. A great Johnnie Walker, may be the best ? An honourable 15 years old whisky, admirably balanced, elegantly peated with a wonderful oily texture. Cheers from Rio dear Master Ralfy !
Wow you got some taste buds....I was drinking the gold and the black and couldn't tell the difference
So when I found out that Green was being discontinued, I got some more. Then the chinese market dumped and all their green got shipped back and rebottled for the US. Then that rebottling was gone and I noticed that it is back. I have not tried the new bottling because I have plenty of the older bottling. A 5 point swing in tasting is a lot. I may have to buy a new bottle and compare it to my older ones.
I saved a bottle from back in the day, any point in keeping it?
u do the best reviews ever, love you for ever mate
I wish also was in a darker glass bottle and none colored, I bought recently on special 200th Anniversary yes your right the value in the bottle has changed I was wondering if the linkwood or cragganmore is younger than it was as I also it’s not as complex as before thanks again Ralfy
. . . modern casks tend to mature 'younger' tasting malts, due to their construction economies.
I like thoughtful blends. JW Black is always in our cabinet (mostly for drinking with water or soda) and I like JW Green well enough, but for the price, I would rather buy one of John Glaser's Great King Street blends -- half the price of Green where I live in New York. Finally, many thanks to Ralfy whose site I recommend to my children and friends who seek to understand a bit more about spirits.
I have a "terrible" Scotch related question to ask (here goes)...
I was introduced to Scotch by my girlfriend's Step-Dad (from the UK originally, a kid in London during the Blitz, and lived in the US lots of years) and he poured a decent blend (maybe Dewars White Label) into a tumbler added what looked like almost as much water, maybe less, then added ice, and that was an "after work" or late afternoon start.
Me not knowing any better I copied this. One nice thing is: you take in a lot of water this way. If you keep making a few of these drinks you get lots and lots of hydration (and that's the reason why I'm asking).
After learning proper stuff from your videos, once in a blue moon I again tried the highly hydrated option, with mixed results. I noted that it "wasted" my Glenmorangie Lasanta, since so much of the taste was gone, but it was a highly hydrating drink
Question: Do you think there is a blend out there that you would consider good for this kind of drink?
Is there any time when you just want to mix a little blend with a bunch of water and heave-ho gulp it down cold with some ice? (Blasphemy, right?)
After hearing how Winston Churchill drank Red Label super highly diluted, (a little Red Label in a glass of water) I'm wondering more about this...
Thoughts?
+Raster Nobody can really tell you how to drink your whisky...you bought it, enjoy it how you like. For maximum flavour and to get every taste note the ideal dillution is about 30-35% alchohol per volume, but hey I like mine more watered down as well. Some whiskys can handle more water some cannot.
New sub here. Very good review my friend. So comforting to listen to you speak. I will give this a try. Time to venture away from the double black for a bit.
Great review and very humorous! Burst out laughing from the malt kiss!!I'm excited about JW 15 re release. Cheers!
how do your malt marks compare to your blended marks?
so in your opinion what changed between the old and the new green label? the original malts (caol ila, talisker etc) or the blending process?maybe you mentioned it and i missed it
I love your review soooo much!!
btw just outa curiosity cause i noted it in a number of english tasting videos, is Germany the only country that requires producers to state wether E 150 / caramel was added?
Hey Ralfy. What about a vertical tasting of the same whisky from different vintages? Would be fun and didactic. Also, do you have spanish brandy on your radar?
What do you like more in general Macallan or Johnnie Walker?
Apparently the first re-release in 2016 was widely regarded as not the same, but more recent releases has improved markedly. Perhaps it would be a good test to re-revisit Green Label.
I have had the original, the 1st re release which was a disappointment and the final release that was close to the original. Your review is spot on
I agree, get ride of the need to add colouring and instead tint the bottle green, like Lagavulin is.
I have a bottle of original Green Label I have been drinking albeit slowly since it was discontinued, will I be disappointed if I purchase a new bottle of this?
When you said it had notes of chlorine and detergent after adding some water, I couldn't help but wonder if that was just what was in the water...
What water does he use? I have a bottle of scottish water just for adding as and when needed
Ralfy love your videos, could you do a video of your top 5 most memorable whiskies one should try "if possible"
Great review
Found bottle for 35 euro almost drink it and wow 😮 it’s really excellent and amazing 😉 please tell me which is better green or blue ( I never try blue )
Would love to see a Johnnie Walker "Select Cask" review
Would you recommend staying away from blended whisky, if you have limited funds?
Hi Ralfy, just a short message, it's great what you do and your presentation. As I'm a little bit of a skinflint, or would it be slightly better saying, careful with my money that I spend on every day drinking whisky, I always keep an eye out for what I think is bargain whisky whilst shopping at Tesco, I have made several purchases for around £20 some not to my liking but most I have liked, my most recent purchase was, Talisker Storm costing £21, there is no age statement but bottled at 45% and it looks like colour is added, but who cares, £21 it's good enough for me!
I tried my 1st scotch in the mid 70s , Its was johnny walker red, It was so discusting that I didnt try scotch again until 20 yrs later with Lagavulin and Im crazy about scotch! I wish I would have tried something different 40 years ago!
+James D. Wheeler I said it before, I'll say it now and I'll say it forever. JW Red Label tastes like it was fermented in a tire.
+Terriss0421 Id endorse that! Pretty vile stuff!
Red is great on the rocks or with soda...never neat!!!
Red is rotgut. Barely good enough for mixing. And I would rather use Jim Beam for that.
where to buy green lable? one of the best blended single malts!
+Andreyxiv Here in The Netherlands you could buy it via the Dutchl webstores. 35/40 Euro for 0,7 liter.
Ralfy, I always love your videos. Thank you. One day I'm going to taste something along with you and see if we agree. I think that would be great fun! Hey! I have two bottles unopened in cupboard now! I'll search your videos and see if you've reviewed them!
Not your typical Johnnie Walker, I have never been a Johnnie Walker fan but on Ralfy's recommendation I have bought a
nd tried the green label. This goes without saying however, I am saying it anyway. Ralfy has not steered me wrong, he has once again reviewed a blended malt and hit it right on the head. Just like Ralfy did with his review of the Monkey Shoulder. When I first mentioned monkey shoulder to my scotch drinking friends they laughed until the first dram. Then the laughter stopped and the enjoyment began. The same can be said for the Walker Green, it has been a pleasure to find another bottle that will open my palate and improve my taste buds. Although, I have not had the chance to try any of the other Johnnie Walkers with the exception of the Gold. I find the green label a fantastic blend that deserve a space in any cabinet. Alongside, some of my other noticeable Scotch such as the monkey shoulder. It's nice to see that even after all this time there are still surprises in the Scotch world. Thank you again for the recommendation
Johnnie Walker's website did not have it listed.
They have Red,Black,Gold,Platinum,Blue but no Green label.
Did they start to produce this again? Green Label is now available again in our country. Maybe worth re-reviewing? :)
Hello Ralfy, do you keep something like a tasting diary? I´m thinking of starting one myself but I don´t have a clue how it should look like. I could use some inspiration as to how I could document my malt moments. I would imagine having perhaps a page per blend and noting down the nose, taste and finish whenever I find something new, but I would also like to keep it neat and organized. As I know myself, I would have to go trough a convoluted mess before I figure it out and perhaps you have a working thing going already? Cheers and I wish you many more malty moments from the Czech Republic
+TommyRepulsed . . . keep notes simple, nose, taste, form, conclusion, basic marks for reference, good luck !
You going to do a review of Johnnie Walker Select Casks? It's bottled at 46%.
Ralfy, I don't know how in-to Glenfiddich, special editions, or the U. S. of A., but Glenfiddich has released a U. S. A.-only special edition 14-years-old.
Great review Ralfy! Any plans on reviewing Edradour 10yr in the future?
+Lloyd Braun . . . at some point, yes, some Ed-reviews in the archives.