Johnnie Walker Black Ruby (2025)

There’s a new member of the Johnnie Walker core range, Black Ruby. I suspect you can guess on which classic Scotch blend the Johnnie Walker Black Ruby is based. In case the answer eludes you – it’s the Johnnie Walker Black Label.

Having kindly been sent a bottle to review, this blog post is me reporting for duty. An official press launch was held in late March. Digitally, I should add. Stefanie Anderson, Diageo’s Luxury Portfolio Ambassador, interviewed Emma Walker, Johnnie Walker’s Master Blender, about the new release.

I won’t repeat the entire interview here, but I thought some comments about the composition of the Johnnie Walker Ruby Black were of interest. Most of what Emma Walker detailed was already part of the official press release. Basically the brand’s general message about the ‘four corners of Scotland’ – Cardhu, Clynelish, Caol Ila and Glenkinchie. But Emma also mentioned Roseisle.

Roseisle is Diageo’s behemoth distillery on the Moray coast in Speyside. Its distinguishing feature is the distillery’s versatility. Six of its seven pairs of stills can switch between stainless steel or copper shell-and-tube condensers. Roseisle produces lighter styles, heavier styles, and malty styles. It is exactly this type of versatility that is so endearing to skilled whisky blenders such as Emma Walker.

According to Stefanie Anderson, Roseisle sits at the heart of the Johnnie Walker Ruby Black. “It is just one of those beautiful distilleries,” Emma responded. “Now people have gotten to try it with the Special Releases. It’s absolutely fantastic. […] We were looking to use Roseisle to get those sweet red berry notes and this delicate green grass character. And we got that from the experimental whisky making techniques we have at Roseisle.”

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby’s flavour profile is led by the use of first-fill red wine casks, specifically those filled with spirit from Roseisle. Ex-bourbon casks, Pedro Ximénez casks and Oloroso sherry casks were also used. Most importantly, we’re talking about full maturation here.

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby (40%, OB, 2025)

Nose: Hints of pomegranate, slightly sour cherries and some hints of plums. Also toasted oak and just a whiff of peat smoke. Maybe some blackcurrant marmelade there in the end.
Taste: There’s a faint smoky note, which enhances the overall experience. Then a tinge of macerated orange slices, honey and black pepper. Slivers of blackcurrant again, but also plums.
Finish: Short to medium. A tinge of chocolate, but also charred oak and stewed berries.

Sample provided by Diageo