5 Whiskies That Whisky Experts Choose Over Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Black Label has long been a gateway into Scotch whisky. But for those ready to explore furthere here are 5 bottles to try next.
Ask any whisky drinker to name one of the bottles that got them into scotch, and chances are Johnnie Walker Black Label will be on the list. It's the gateway whisky for countless fans around the world.
The iconic square bottle with its black label has been a fixture on shelves since 1906, when it first appeared under the name 'Extra Special Old Highland Whisky.' It took on the name we know today after a 1909 rebrand—and 119 years later, it remains a global staple. In fact, Diageo reported sales of 291 million bottles of Black Label in 2022 alone.
But for those looking to expand their whiskey horizons beyond this classic, where should you go next? I asked five experts to share their favorite alternatives to Johnnie Walker Black Label.
Glen Scotia Double Cask (c. $50), recommended by Holly Seidewand, offers a smooth, coastal single malt alternative to Johnnie Walker Black Label.
The first pick comes from Holly Seidewand, Co-owner of First Fill Spirits and a whisky educator.
What many drinkers don't realize is that Johnnie Walker Black Label is actually a gently peated whisky. The subtle smoke in the blend comes from Caol Ila, a peated Islay malt that is a key component in the blend.
'What's interesting is JW Black is peated but most won't come with that as their first description,' Seidewand explained to me over email. 'That usually only comes with JW Double Black. Anyways, most people are shocked when you tell them it's peated! Most just think it is 'rich' and 'smooth.''
With this in mind, Holly recommends Glen Scotia Double Cask, a no-age-statement whisky from the Glen Scotia distillery in Campbeltown. Typically priced around $50, it offers a comfortable step up for someone moving from a blended Scotch to a single malt. As Holly puts it, it has 'some coastal qualities that could present as 'peat' but overall a well-rounded, vanilla-forward single malt.'
Ardnamurchan AD/Core Release ($70), suggested by independent bottler Finn Thompson, blends peated and unpeated malt for a balanced, smoky profile.
Next recommendation comes from Finn Thompson, an independent bottler whose family has deep ties to the scotch whisky industry. His selection reflects the long-standing presence of blends like Johnnie Walker Black in both professional and personal contexts.
Finn explained to me over email the unique place Johnnie Walker Black holds for him and his family. 'For me, Johnnie Walker Black Label is one of the iconic brands of scotch whisky,' Finn said. 'It was my grandfather's favourite dram during his time running our family business in the 1970s, and going back further, we have records of my family trading casks with John Walker and Sons dating back to 1903.'
Finn's selection of the Ardnamurchan AD/Core Release makes perfect sense. It's a 50/50 blend of peated and unpeated whisky, resulting in a profile that will feel very familiar to anyone who enjoys Johnnie Walker Black.
He went on to explain that the 'balanced but rich, smoky style is something that Ardnamurchan Distillery have perfected. Independently owned and with a focus on sustainability it is a distillery that sums up everything that is good about scotch whisky.'
Expect to pay around $70 if you can find a bottle in the US, or around £40 if you are in the UK.
The Lakes Distillery's The One Sherry Cask Finish (~$50), recommended by former Macallan whisky maker Sarah Burgess, offers rich flavor with a touch of subtle smoke.
If the name Sarah Burgess rings a bell, it's because she was formerly Lead Whisky Maker at The Macallan, where she helped create some of the brand's most well known releases, including Tales of The Macallan Volume One and The Macallan Genesis.
She later joined The Lakes Distillery in Cumbria, where she now leads whisky production to a category that is ripe with innovation and new ideas. While her pick might seem like a case of choosing your own homework, it's hard to argue with her credentials. After all, who's better placed to recommend a whisky than the person who crafted it?
Sarah explained to me over email: 'Naturally, I'm going to lean toward a whisky I've been closely involved in creating, and with that in mind, I'd recommend The One Sherry Cask Finish. I know this whisky inside out, and it offers just the right balance of richness and subtle smoke that fans of Johnnie Walker Black Label tend to enjoy. It's full-bodied, versatile, and a quiet favourite among bartenders, perfect for classics like the Old Fashioned or a smoky twist on a Whisky Sour.'
While not available in the US, you can order from The Whisky Exchange or Master of Malt for around $50 plus shipping.
Blair Bowman's pick? Stick with the classic. Reliable, versatile, and found in bars from Tokyo to Tobermory—why fix what isn't broken?
While the first three picks have all offered thoughtful alternatives for anyone looking to take a step up the whisky ladder, Blair Bowman, a whisky consultant and author, raises a fair point: if it isn't broken, why fix it? For that reason, he sees no need to substitute Johnnie Walker Black Label at all.
And while that might sound a little non-committal, he made a very good case for it when we spoke over email. 'I simply can't pick an alternative to Johnnie Walker Black Label - because nothing truly compares. It's a fantastic whisky. My go-to when travelling: reliably excellent and found in hotel bars from Tokyo to Tobermory. Versatile, elegant, and always satisfying. Depending on where I'm travelling, the time of year, or the local climate, it works perfectly in a highball, on the rocks, or simply neat.'
(CALL OUT QUOTE) 'If I could only drink one whisky for the rest of my life, it would be Johnnie Walker Black Label."
Johnnie Walker Black Label from the 1960s, recommended by Peter Wilcockson, offers deeper sherry notes and vintage character—currently £350 at The Whisky Exchange.
Call me biased, but I believe we've saved the best for last. This isn't just a great substitute or a step up from Johnnie Walker Black Label, in my view, it's one of the best whiskies in the world.
Peter Wilcockson, Whisky Specialist at Whisky.Auction, has picked Johnnie Walker Black Label from the 1960s and 70s as your next bottle to try, and I couldn't agree more. These old bottlings offer something truly special.
Despite their age, they're surprisingly affordable and you can often find them at auction for under $200, or a bit more from select retailers. In my opinion, it's some of the best money you can spend on whisky. Especially one you already know you enjoy.
The sherry profile is far more pronounced than with modern bottlings, likely due to a higher proportion of sherry casks in the blend at the time. Some even suggest early Black Label was matured exclusively in sherry casks during that era, a claim I haven't been able to verify, but one that certainly feels believable when you taste it.
Peter explained to me over email: 'Johnnie Walker Black Label bottles from the 1960s, 70s and 80s tend to outperform their modern counterparts. They show less sweetness, more pronounced malt character, and often an oily texture with a touch of saltiness—qualities that give them greater complexity and balance.'
And with that, I'll leave the decision to you. Whether you stick with the classic, explore some single malt alternatives, or take a step back in time with a vintage bottle, there's plenty out there for your next whisky adventure.
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