Is Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Whisky the Whisky For You? (Review)

Johnnie Walker presents a plethora of expressions, ensuring there's always a perfect whisky for any occasion. A new bottle has now been added to the range, especially for those with a sweet tooth. In this Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Review, you will find out just how sweet this whisky is.

The well-known Johnnie Walker whisky has a history that spans centuries. It all started with a grocer, soon followed by whisky. The brand now boasts numerous wildly popular blended whiskies.

Who isn't familiar with Johnnie Walker Red Label or Black Label? Then there are the Green Label and Gold Label versions, which are a bit milder in taste. And let's not forget about the luxurious premium blended whisky Blue Label.

A sweet variant is now added to this impressive lineup: Black Ruby. It includes whisky from the Clynelish Distillery, Glenkinchie and Cameronbridge Distillery, Cardhu, and Caol Ila.

The result is a mild blended whisky with vibrant fruity notes.

The Black Ruby bottle follows the model we already know from Johnnie Walker. The square bottle is recognizable from miles away. For this sweet expression, a new color has been added especially, an elegant burgundy red.

Thus, the bottle stands out on the liquor store shelf amongst other Johnnie Walker expressions. Moreover, the color pairs well with the whisky's flavor profile. But what about that taste?

The Johnnie Walker Black Ruby whisky releases a strong sweet aroma of dark red fruit as soon as it’s poured. Initially, you get a rich scent of tart fruit, followed by prunes, dried figs, and a slight hint of charred oak.

Among these, whispers of vanilla pods and a spicy character emerge. If you have a sweet spot for sweetness, this incredibly enticing aroma will beg you to take a sip.

Once you take the first sip of Black Ruby, that strong introduction from the nose comes to the fore immediately. You'll taste sweet honey notes, red ripe cherries leading the way, a hint of oak, olive oil, and a subtle touch of smoke.

There is also a spiciness that unfolds when you let the whisky linger on your tongue. Nutmeg and cinnamon come through while the predominant taste remains sweet. This whisky tantalizes nearly all aspects of your taste palate without overwhelming it.

But when Black Ruby finally heads towards the finish line, it's over rather quickly. The finish is surprisingly short. On the one hand, this is disappointing, but on the other hand, this whisky's sweet profile and the fact that it doesn't linger makes it a perfect cocktail companion.

Black Ruby's most recent addition to the lineup is, in short, an amalgamation of sweet flavors. Therefore, lovers of spicy and smoky drams might not place this amongst their favorites. However, for those who love sweet nuances, this whisky will likely rank highly.

+ An excellent addition to the Johnnie Walker lineup

+ Truly for the sweet tooth

+ The ideal cocktail companion?

- Rather short finish