Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Review

Blended Scotch Whisky 40%

Built for cocktails but a solid dram riding on it is own

Black Ruby Facts

Region: Scotland

Age: Non Age Statement

Strength: 40% ABV

Colouring: Yes

Chill Filtered: Yes

Extra Information:
Diageo Owned

Experience

Striding to the sweeter side?

Johnnie Walker have launched it’s new blend in 2024 and is being marketed as a sweeter blend staying true to the ever popular JW Black Label release.

Dropping of the age statement is not the only change, they are bringing in ex-Bourbon, first-fill red wine, Pedro Ximenez and oloroso Sherry casks creating that fruity ruby notes.

Master blender Dr Emma Walker built this blend with Roseisle Distillery Malt as it’s core as well as Diageo’s staples of Clynelish, Cardhu, Cameronbridge, Caol Ila and Glenkinchie to break up the C’s.

Nose

From opening the screw cap the sweet smoke hits the air feeling even more potent than the standard Johnnie Walker 12 Black Label.

While not overpowering the fresh fruity smoke plays a prominent part with some real sweet strawberries and freshly made blackberry jam tarts.

Some fruit and nut dairy milk chocolate and a very slight metallic tin smell.

Taste

Better than I was expecting…

With a very hit and miss relationship with Johnnie Walker (leaning more to the miss side) I went in with low expectations which this pleasantly passed.

The thinner texture manages to carry an impressive array of sweet and slightly overripe fruits of raisins, blueberries and crisp pears.

The sherry influence certainly has had it’s touch on the flavour while managing to avoid leaning into the burnt sulphur side.

Comparing this to the Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish blend they have also released, this one feels a lot more balanced and purposely driven for the sweeter side.

A short finish is carried on by the ever subtle bonfire smoke.

Value for Money

Should you buy the Johnnie Walker Black Ruby?

At £35 a bottle it comes in around the same price as the Black Label and with the drop of age statement but greater depth I would say it is a fair price. I would rather see it around the £30 mark to actually make it more suitable to the “new drinkers” they are targeting, especially if this is just one point of a cocktail.

See how this compares to the much more expensive Johnnie Walker Blue Label!

Jeff’s Judgement:

Score for JW Black Ruby

Experience:

5.3

Nose

5.6

Taste:

6.2

Value:

5.2

Total Score: 5.6/10 – Average

Liquid Only Score: 5.9

These reviews are done solely for entertainment and reference purposes. I am not a writer, just someone who wants to blab on about booze so please excuse the many spelling and grammatical mistakes.

While I try to ensure all information is accurate do let me know if you see any mistakes.