Drinking this right now. Balanced, smooth, sweet, delicate, fruity, and delicious. I would agree that it’s too watered down, but other than that it’s wonderful.
Horst...I am very glad to be able to share a glass of this fine whisky with you. Just picked up this blue label today. It's blended flavour is like a party in my mouth. I enjoyed tasting and drinking this with you. I only opened it when you did. Thank you for your channel. The absolute BEST on RUclips. I'm a subscriber forever. All the best.
Morning Horst, how are your cornflakes? Horst: There's a slightly bitter dairy aroma with tones of old library books - on the palette there's compacted sawdust and an abrasive sweetness, a subtle cardboard complexity leading in to finishing notes of wet dog.
Needs 45% more in ABV other than that it’s really good. I would also suggest to add something more complex on the palet like oats in the 95% corn and 5% sugar blend for the flakes. This would add some disparate brown nuances in the Color of the final product.
JW Blue is by far the best I have ever tasted or probably ever will. My mouth has never been so happy at the very touch of any Scotch until I tried Blue. JW BRAVO
i am a whisky lover who tried quite amount of single malt brands. I would like to say blue label is overpriced, but you don't get the same experience from other brand, and it is unique. Still one of my favourite... just love it.
I have been watching quite some whisky reviews lately. this channel has consistent analysis and Mr Luening knows what he is talking about (unlike a few others around youtube). Keep going!
I'm laughing my ass off as I sit here with my glass of Macallan 15 year, single malt, double cask scotch..... This guy kills me... It's the German accent and the intensity of his love for whiskey......and his air of superior knowledge. Reminds me of..... Years ago, while visiting the Grand Canyon (group of Air Force guys on temporary duty, etc), we hiked the trail down......and then back up. One of our guys was a bit out of shape, so he was lagging behind, huffing and puffing....(Admin, don'tcha know) Our group made it back to the top to find a German couple relaxing beside the trail......the German guy, stretched out on a large boulder like a sex symbol, smoking a cigarette, holding it in that curiously European style, as if holding a pencil between thumb and forefinger, point up......but pointed away from the face. Soon, our buddy came struggling along, still huffing and puffing. With an air of snobbish amusement and half closed eyes, observing our out-of-shape comrade, the German dude took a drag off his cigarette, exhaled and said, "Your companion....is FINISHED!" This guy hits the same nerve......and I love it. Must be because my grandfather was from Schleswig-Holstein and I love my heritage.... Regardless, this guy knows his shit......thumbs up!
Terrible comment all around. I hate it when people pretend to complement someone and instead of just doing so, they beat around the bush. "My wife reminds me of my terrible aunt, but she is a wonderful woman after all."🤐
I think its because he's a german speaker, perhaps. His accent has the hint of that, and often german speakers (at least where I've been) make this sort of "bwah" noise when they are surprised, shocked, or expressing disbelief at something (for any range of emotional reasons). Its kind of like a "wow" exclamation.
Blue label is mostly grain Whisky.....Green is awesome all made from Single malts "Vatted" and Gold is more refined as well in my opinion, save your money as the two I speak of are being discontinued!!! Save your money, buy those or the upcoming Platinum....or pick up a Highland Park 18 or Ardbeg Corryvreckan even a Caol Ila.....all better for less $$$
I never would’ve thought that a man with THAT accent could speak in a manner that could be described as ‘soothing,’ yet here we are, with the European Bob Ross of whisky.
Great Guy. He makes mewish to drink one while listening to him. Valuable reviews too. I am a portuguese used to drink great Porto and portuguese red wines but I like a good whisky as well. And I never tried the Grenn Label or the Blue Label. Got sticked to Black Label, Glenfiddich and Cardhu.
Yep, Johnnie Walker introduced the Blue Label in 1992 so they could use up some whiskey they had that never got sold due to whiskey's lack of popularity in the 70s and 80s, which had become overaged (60+ years) and too much alcohol had evaporated (making it no longer legally whiskey since it must be minimum 40% alcohol), so they blended it together with some new grain spirit to bring it back up to 40%, then they sold it as Blue Label and tried to market it as some rare, prestigious whiskey when in reality all it was was something they threw together out of desperation and necessity.
Just picked a bottle of Blue Label from Budapest Airport tax-free for 122e. For that price I can accept understanding that I pay for presentation and brand. My taste has changed from Islay smoke to more Highland - Speyside type of flavour so JWBL, as a premium blend, can offer something different.
@@Megawatt That's one thing that kinda turns me off about JW. There is some grain spirits in their blends. I actually prefer the Green Label, and it's way less expensive.
@@aaronl88 I think the main reason it's frowned upon by purists is that grain whiskey/whisky may be made from any cereal grain, and purists think of Scotch as being 100% barley. It's perceived to be a cost-cutting measure or a way to increase production output -- or both. If they are single-malt snobs, then even the use of un-malted barley spirit is looked down upon. I have found that whiskies containing grain spirits lack the body that their Single Malt (or Blended Malt) cousins have. Having said that, my whisky-club buddies and I have enjoyed many blended Scotches containing grain spirits.
Okay, I lied. 9:24-9:50 ......This is exactly what I'm talking about. THIS.....is a trained and experienced nose and palate. Absolutely fucking extraordinary.....(pardon my French)
Same here, I was 20 back when I had a Blue Label But then, Gold Label for example, is now a whisky that definetly does not deserve its price because you can get better single malts for that price. So I always resort to Talisker, or 15 year Glenlivet instead of anythin Johnnie Walker produces. Hell, even if I'm about to get a cheap whisky, I just go buy Singleton, or Achentoshan, no more Black Label like the days of yore.
The cheapest price I have found in my area, Central Nebraska is $200.00. It is common to see it for more than $250.00. I bought my son a sample pac for Christmas with Blue Label in it, much like the one in the video, for $80 something. He was kind enough to give me a small glass. I was very impressed but $200.00 dollars worth? Hmm, hard case to make. In my opinion, the best "value" on the market is Black Label. $35.00 to 40.00 dollars, a little harsh but loaded with flavor. It's no Blue Label but...
Absolutely agree. I have the same set that Horst is tasting above, and I tasted all four side-by-side. The difference between each bottle was slight, in my mind, and the Black is by far the best value. If you're looking for something with more impact, the Green is a much bigger step up from the Black than the Gold is (and both Green and Gold are usually around $60-80).
JA M Great point. Green label was impressive. A blend of single malts with no grain. Nice. I might have to consider it a better value, if only I wasn't so cheap.
I like watching your videos, very educational. At 55 I have not found a taste for Alcohol, but I admire that there is something you have found to be so dedicated to. I do have some 10 year old rye at $75 a bottle which I plan to try sometime in the near future.
If Blue label had a higher alcohol volume say about 46% abv, it would truly be worthy of being the flagship among the entry range of Johnnie walker whiskies as well as justifying it's price.
My brother bought the blue label and was given a little black label bottle for his purchase. He said the black label tasted just as awful as the red label. Now I need to tell him about the double black label.
Didn't Compass Box blow the lid on that whole 'divulging the age of the whiskies' thing and put exactly what whiskies and what ages were in particular bottles of theirs?
Recently tried the year of the rabbit version at 46% abv, it is delicious. JWB is among my personal favorite even among single malts. Really enjoy the flavor of the blue even at 40abv.
I agree with you Dan. Green Label was better than Blue Label, for 1/3 of his price....I hope than Diageo will resume production of this excellent blend (only malts, no grain...)
Hi Horst, Why do you never add water? Even the best distilleries urge us to add some water to wake the flavours back up. Do you not agree with this? Love your reviews by the way :)
This dude appears to be extremely knowledgeable in whisky. Much respect! But just once, I would love to see him review a bum wine like MD 20/20, Cisco, or Wild Irish Rose. *Sniffs it* “I’m picking up hints of depression and angst...a little bit of body odor, maybe some lighter fluid.” *Drinks it* immediately starts wandering around his house Naked, mumbling a bunch of nonsense
He is the Bob Ross of Whisky.
with a better haircut.
Great comparison
Chewie is the Bob Ross of Yetis
Di Sandro Rdz hahahaha
Literally just here to listen to this guy talk while I try to fall asleep. I don't even like whiskey
he could make a perfect ASMR channel standalone
LOL, same here.
Haha love it but we also love whiskey
JOlevnikk you win the internet for reading my mind!
JOlevnikk don't watch if you don't like kinda like a girl lmao
This is Horst at his absolute best. I come back every now and again to watch this video. I love the expressions and reaction to the whisky.
If you listened with headphones you now know the microphone is inside his soul.
hahahahahahahaha
@@T62306230 I wanted to ask the Scotch community how much a 2007 bottle of 38 yearold Chivas Stone of Destiny is worth?
ahahahahah
@@alextemporado5958 Between 850 and 1000 dollars American.
You're like the David Attenborough of whisky tasting. Fantastic videos!
Haha so accurate.
hahahaha
lol good analogy 😄
Drinking this right now. Balanced, smooth, sweet, delicate, fruity, and delicious. I would agree that it’s too watered down, but other than that it’s wonderful.
Have you tried the JW 18 Year Old? It's in a completely different league from this in my opinion and also far less than half the price.
The mouth noises are on another level 😂
12346unknown he could work for Listerine.
The better to get every taste bud you have involved with the tasting.
Shawn Cashin whiskyrine blue label
I am pretty sure this guy eats people :P
Could have been interesting, but simply disgusting
Horst...I am very glad to be able to share a glass of this fine whisky with you. Just picked up this blue label today. It's blended flavour is like a party in my mouth. I enjoyed tasting and drinking this with you. I only opened it when you did. Thank you for your channel. The absolute BEST on RUclips. I'm a subscriber forever. All the best.
Bless my wife, we did the johnnie walker tour in Edinburgh, then when we came out she got me a blue. Love it and this review does it justice.
Best ASMR channel EVER
That exhort at 9:03 instantly made me feel like I was watching some Royal drinking a fine liquor from a foreign land. It was a sound out of the past.
Yeah, I literally laughed out loud. And he wants another three ABV!
I bought a bottle, I can't stop tasting. I love your enthusiasm when tasting. Good job.
Your voice, is majestic.
yup
Morning Horst, how are your cornflakes?
Horst: There's a slightly bitter dairy aroma with tones of old library books - on the palette there's compacted sawdust and an abrasive sweetness, a subtle cardboard complexity leading in to finishing notes of wet dog.
This is absolutely amazing
Needs 45% more in ABV other than that it’s really good. I would also suggest to add something more complex on the palet like oats in the 95% corn and 5% sugar blend for the flakes. This would add some disparate brown nuances in the Color of the final product.
🤣
JW Blue is by far the best I have ever tasted or probably ever will. My mouth has never been so happy at the very touch of any Scotch until I tried Blue. JW BRAVO
It is very special, I love it ..
i am a whisky lover who tried quite amount of single malt brands. I would like to say blue label is overpriced, but you don't get the same experience from other brand, and it is unique. Still one of my favourite... just love it.
Agree, it's a good whisky, but overpriced. It's better whisky out there for that price range.
@@TheAradar you replied to his comment 5 years later. 😳
@@glendalestoner420 You replied to his comment 7 months later. 🤓 "Late" replies are useful for present/future readers/viewers.
I have been watching quite some whisky reviews lately. this channel has consistent analysis and Mr Luening knows what he is talking about (unlike a few others around youtube). Keep going!
tried Blue Label for the first time last night. It was truly memorable.
Serious?
Didnt have enough if it was memorable
I love that reaction haha @ 9:03 ... "Inten..phaow "
hahahaha
I'm laughing my ass off as I sit here with my glass of Macallan 15 year, single malt, double cask scotch.....
This guy kills me...
It's the German accent and the intensity of his love for whiskey......and his air of superior knowledge.
Reminds me of.....
Years ago, while visiting the Grand Canyon (group of Air Force guys on temporary duty, etc), we hiked the trail down......and then back up.
One of our guys was a bit out of shape, so he was lagging behind, huffing and puffing....(Admin, don'tcha know)
Our group made it back to the top to find a German couple relaxing beside the trail......the German guy, stretched out on a large boulder like a sex symbol, smoking a cigarette, holding it in that curiously European style, as if holding a pencil between thumb and forefinger, point up......but pointed away from the face.
Soon, our buddy came struggling along, still huffing and puffing.
With an air of snobbish amusement and half closed eyes, observing our out-of-shape comrade, the German dude took a drag off his cigarette, exhaled and said, "Your companion....is FINISHED!"
This guy hits the same nerve......and I love it.
Must be because my grandfather was from Schleswig-Holstein and I love my heritage....
Regardless, this guy knows his shit......thumbs up!
Terrible comment all around. I hate it when people pretend to complement someone and instead of just doing so, they beat around the bush.
"My wife reminds me of my terrible aunt, but she is a wonderful woman after all."🤐
The after taste reaction at 9:04 is why it's 'Blue Label'
This review inspired me to start appreciating Whisky almost 5 years ago!
Sassy Horst is best Horst. I love all his reviews, but when he's on fire like this it's pure magic!
9:22 wtfffffff hahahahahahahhaha
I think its because he's a german speaker, perhaps. His accent has the hint of that, and often german speakers (at least where I've been) make this sort of "bwah" noise when they are surprised, shocked, or expressing disbelief at something (for any range of emotional reasons). Its kind of like a "wow" exclamation.
J Beezy 😂 😆 😂 😂
Blue label is mostly grain Whisky.....Green is awesome all made from Single malts "Vatted" and Gold is more refined as well in my opinion, save your money as the two I speak of are being discontinued!!! Save your money, buy those or the upcoming Platinum....or pick up a Highland Park 18 or Ardbeg Corryvreckan even a Caol Ila.....all better for less $$$
Watch This I totally agree with you!! The Platinum will be marvelous!!
Nothing like the blue
Here in Mexico actually the bottle says it has whyskies up to 100 years old!
He is so honest about everything, I love this guy. Greetings
Your reactions to the taste are always fantastic, I love it
Johnnie Walker Blue is a better investment than a prostitute.
Billy Baxter neither is
😂😂😂
Not really an investment you dumbass😂😂
CurryMuncher09 you're the dumbass 😂😂😂
What if she comes with the bottle of JWblue?
I never would’ve thought that a man with THAT accent could speak in a manner that could be described as ‘soothing,’ yet here we are, with the European Bob Ross of whisky.
Hmmm I'm getting an oak smell,berries,dark berries and an old sock,ahhh wonderful.
My favourite of Johnny Walker is double black, which oddly isn't there. Amazing reviews from this man, I could watch them all day
cracking a bottle of this on my 25th bday next month with a select few! had every johnnie whiskey all great!
I fucking love this guy...
I picked up the duty free litre bottle at the airport,in uk for 180 pounds expensive but good whisy
Great Guy. He makes mewish to drink one while listening to him. Valuable reviews too. I am a portuguese used to drink great Porto and portuguese red wines but I like a good whisky as well. And I never tried the Grenn Label or the Blue Label. Got sticked to Black Label, Glenfiddich and Cardhu.
I may be wrong, but I think this was introduced in the early 90s. It's a quite recent addition as far as I know.
Yep, Johnnie Walker introduced the Blue Label in 1992 so they could use up some whiskey they had that never got sold due to whiskey's lack of popularity in the 70s and 80s, which had become overaged (60+ years) and too much alcohol had evaporated (making it no longer legally whiskey since it must be minimum 40% alcohol), so they blended it together with some new grain spirit to bring it back up to 40%, then they sold it as Blue Label and tried to market it as some rare, prestigious whiskey when in reality all it was was something they threw together out of desperation and necessity.
Just picked a bottle of Blue Label from Budapest Airport tax-free for 122e. For that price I can accept understanding that I pay for presentation and brand. My taste has changed from Islay smoke to more Highland - Speyside type of flavour so JWBL, as a premium blend, can offer something different.
I never tried mouthwashing my blue; I just did it and boy was it intense; my gums are tingling.
Great Channel 👍
"If there's a bar and only blends in it, and Johnny Walker blue is there, go for it." Nah... go for the Green Label.
Uncomfortable Truth Green label is technically not a blended Scotch, but a blended malt Scotch which is quite a different thing (no grain whisky).
@@Megawatt That's one thing that kinda turns me off about JW. There is some grain spirits in their blends. I actually prefer the Green Label, and it's way less expensive.
@@Schnazola just wanting to learn, but why are grain whiskys frowned upon in scotch blends? Don't they add that sweeter note - or is that why?
@@aaronl88 I think the main reason it's frowned upon by purists is that grain whiskey/whisky may be made from any cereal grain, and purists think of Scotch as being 100% barley. It's perceived to be a cost-cutting measure or a way to increase production output -- or both. If they are single-malt snobs, then even the use of un-malted barley spirit is looked down upon. I have found that whiskies containing grain spirits lack the body that their Single Malt (or Blended Malt) cousins have. Having said that, my whisky-club buddies and I have enjoyed many blended Scotches containing grain spirits.
The Highland Park Einar is very, but really very similar to the JW Blue Label. I'm surprised! And much cheaper!
Looks like you really enjoyed the tasting of this whisky! :-)
New to drinking whisky, burbon, and scotch neat. New to you're channel as well and I really enjoy your reviews.
Okay, I lied.
9:24-9:50 ......This is exactly what I'm talking about.
THIS.....is a trained and experienced nose and palate.
Absolutely fucking extraordinary.....(pardon my French)
This whisky is great but I wouldn't go as far to say it's $200 great.
is $200 because it is rare, not because it is so out of this world great.
you can get that 4 pack in the video for $99 online.
I just won bit with friend of mine a Blue Label bottle (haven't open it yet) waiting for a reason to calibrate, wish me good luck.
I once had the Blue years ago before I had a matured pallet. I can’t recall tho… I’d love to try it again.
Same here, I was 20 back when I had a Blue Label
But then, Gold Label for example, is now a whisky that definetly does not deserve its price because you can get better single malts for that price. So I always resort to Talisker, or 15 year Glenlivet instead of anythin Johnnie Walker produces.
Hell, even if I'm about to get a cheap whisky, I just go buy Singleton, or Achentoshan, no more Black Label like the days of yore.
Thank you, sir. I just bought a Blue Lable by paying 229$ in US and drinking while watching this video. :-) its a good whiskey..
*Whisky fucken Yankyyy
The cheapest price I have found in my area, Central Nebraska is $200.00. It is common to see it for more than $250.00.
I bought my son a sample pac for Christmas with Blue Label in it, much like the one in the video, for $80 something. He was kind enough to give me a small glass. I was very impressed but $200.00 dollars worth? Hmm, hard case to make.
In my opinion, the best "value" on the market is Black Label. $35.00 to 40.00 dollars, a little harsh but loaded with flavor. It's no Blue Label but...
Absolutely agree. I have the same set that Horst is tasting above, and I tasted all four side-by-side. The difference between each bottle was slight, in my mind, and the Black is by far the best value. If you're looking for something with more impact, the Green is a much bigger step up from the Black than the Gold is (and both Green and Gold are usually around $60-80).
JA M
Great point. Green label was impressive. A blend of single malts with no grain. Nice. I might have to consider it a better value, if only I wasn't so cheap.
In Mexico we can find it for more than 200. In some places could go up to 250
RUclips really has balls putting an ad near the end, in the middle of a sentence
I like watching your videos, very educational. At 55 I have not found a taste for Alcohol, but I admire that there is something you have found to be so dedicated to. I do have some 10 year old rye at $75 a bottle which I plan to try sometime in the near future.
mmordors as another non drinker I recommend trying the blue. You will be stunned
Some Blue Label is in fact 43% ABV.
If Blue label had a higher alcohol volume say about 46% abv, it would truly be worthy of being the flagship among the entry range of Johnnie walker whiskies as well as justifying it's price.
King George V, I saw it for around $1800 in an airport once
Green and double black are great. Blue is overpriced.
+cato cato I must confirm that, Green is the stuff !!!. Double Black is smoother than Black just to smokey for me. cheers
Totally agree with you . Green is the best value and double black is nice if you like a slightly peated flavor
My brother bought the blue label and was given a little black label bottle for his purchase. He said the black label tasted just as awful as the red label. Now I need to tell him about the double black label.
I love double black
They're all overpriced
Great video , dads birthday present decided.
Thank you for this Horst, very much enjoy your videos. :) What in your view is the best Johnnie Walker? I like the green label very much.
Damn! ur teasing me man.. i decided to go for blue...but wonder u treat them as mouthwash. :D
Excellent review, it would be great to have the comparison with the king george bottle
Thanks for this Review.
I was interested in getting a bottle for myself but I'll never buy caramel coloured spirits.
Lovely one. How do you compare taste and aroma wise Gold Label Reserve and Blue label?
Didn't Compass Box blow the lid on that whole 'divulging the age of the whiskies' thing and put exactly what whiskies and what ages were in particular bottles of theirs?
I bought this bottle 3 times and I love it..
9:21 Balagdeh!
Jesse Rockwell ty
Love the videos and analysis. But have a hard time believing anyone would validate the cost of Johnnie Blue in a blind taste test.
Recently tried the year of the rabbit version at 46% abv, it is delicious. JWB is among my personal favorite even among single malts. Really enjoy the flavor of the blue even at 40abv.
Thank you for this experience, mesmerising.
😂
You should be the voice for all audiobooks...
Are you going to make a review/tasting for Buchanan's? And what about the green label?
There's already one for Green Label. 😊
Hello Mr.Horst,,,since u mentioned the king George the Vth and I have one in my collection,,could u do a video on it..thanks.
Lend you bottle for reviewing 😄
9:21 what was thaaaaaaat
I love blue label!!! is wonderfull!!!
.... and just in the background but asserting its presence is the lovely aroma of F&D Yellow #4
I still like the green label best!
I agree with you Dan. Green Label was better than Blue Label, for 1/3 of his price....I hope than Diageo will resume production of this excellent blend (only malts, no grain...)
I purchased a case of the green!
I stocked up, but all the stores still have it in New Jersey. Look on the website for Total Wine. The have Internet sales.
Connor Slack I don't know if the SAQ in Quebec allows it.
+Connor Slack Buy in any LCBO Blue label cost $299.99 in Toronto.
This guy clearly enjoys his job!
This is his first drink. I can tell!
Hi Horst,
Why do you never add water? Even the best distilleries urge us to add some water to wake the flavours back up. Do you not agree with this?
Love your reviews by the way :)
This is already a 40%. Adding water would make it quite weak.
He does do it sometimes, though. See his video of Blue Label The Casks Edition.
Its only 40% why would he add water
Superb review
I wonder if I can get this voice if I can drink enough whisky.
if we took and put this whisky in a plain bottle, with no label, would your review be so glowing?
Which one did you like the most between this and the johnnie XR21?
You are right about adding 3%
Where can i find this small set of johnnie walker whiskeys? I would really like to try it
Here in Croatia the Blue Label costs 240 euros.
Wow did he enjoy that first mouthful!
This is a very unique one, trust me.
I will have to try this. But i am a glenlivet drinker. I have tried the black lable but thats it for johnny walker.
A TV broadcaster voice no doubt, but an honest review.
Love blue whiskey 🥰
If you had to choose, would you buy blue label or the new green label 15yo?
Green Label is great value for money
dude out here living his BEST life
Does all Johnnie walker blue has same taste regardless of any editions they release, like ghost,year of the ox..rat..etc?
The blue is heaven. Try it just once before you croak, if you haven't already.
This dude appears to be extremely knowledgeable in whisky. Much respect! But just once, I would love to see him review a bum wine like MD 20/20, Cisco, or Wild Irish Rose. *Sniffs it* “I’m picking up hints of depression and angst...a little bit of body odor, maybe some lighter fluid.” *Drinks it* immediately starts wandering around his house Naked, mumbling a bunch of nonsense
Underrated comment
Horst king of whiskey samplers
9:22 till this day, no idea what he's saying there. This whisky got him good!
my goodness what happened at 9:22?
Software glitch 😅
Great review!