I never thought I'd live to see the day! Ever since I took up Johnnie Walker, I've been wanting to experience the entire line. I was so disappointed to find out that the Green Label was discontinued only a few short years ago, after reading so many amazing reviews about it. I've read more than one that said they'd rather go for a bottle of Green than a bottle of Blue. That's a bold statement.

All Johnnie Walkers are a blend of grain and malt whiskies. The Green label was the only one made with all single malts. (Cragganmore, Linkwood, Talisker and Caol Ila) It has a totally different taste, and being a 15 year, it’s smoother and more well rounded than the 12-year Black. Once they came out with the Gold and Platinum, the $45 price point didn’t really fit in with the rest of the line. The Black is $42, so for a few extra bucks, you got a whiskey that was way better. But then they released Double Black at pretty much the same price. Why buy a Double Black when you can have a Green? They couldn’t raise the price because then it would be too close to the Gold at $69 bucks. I guess the Green became the odd one out that just didn't have a place in the line, so they killed it off in 2012. (I haven't confirmed it fully, but rumor has it that they still ship it to select markets like Taiwan.)

People went nuts when they discontinued it. Rumor has it that there’s still a ton of it in circulation, but the prices have gone through the roof. It’s impossible to find at retail any more. It’s all tied up with collector’s and people trying to turn a profit. I’ve seen people selling it on eBay Europe for hundreds a bottle. To walk into a liquor store and see it sitting on the shelf is unheard of. I was really surprised that Total Wine had a good 12 bottles just sitting on the shelf, although no boxes. It seemed to good to be true.

I grabbed a bottle, and when I got home I searched for an answer online. The bottle I bought has a square label on the front as well as a screw-top. I could have sworn the Green had a cork like Gold, Platinum, and Blue. As it turns out, Diageo has re-released the Green label for a limited time to celebrate the 10th anniversary.

The slight difference in packaging I'm sure is to deter people from buying the $59 Green and selling it for $400. I just wish it had a box, but beggars can't be choosers.







So how is it? Well, let's just say that it's my new favorite Johnnie Walker! I'd don't know if I'd rather have a bottle of Green than a bottle of Blue. The Blue is great, but I don't think it's worth $200 a bottle. Sure the Blue is smooth as silk, but it's unmistakably a blend. Green is more of a single malt than a blend. It has a beautiful nose, and an incredible taste. There's just enough of that Johnnie Walker signature character in there to let you know it's Johnnie Walker, but it's like drinking a single malt.

The Green will only be around for a little while, so stock up so you have a few bottles to enjoy in the future.

UPDATE:

With this bottle, I've officially had a full bottle of every Johnnie Walker offering: Red, Swing, Black, Double Black, Green, Gold, Platinum, and Blue.

Achievement Unlocked!