Jack Daniel’s vs Johnnie Walker – Which should you pick?

Last updated on August 13th, 2024

Hand’s down, Jack Daniels and Johnnie Walker are two of the most popular whiskey brands in the world. If you live in the U.S, you’d think this Tennessee Whiskey is more popular than this Scotch titan. But the truth is, Johnnie Walker is the top selling whisky – worldwide.

As a fan of both bourbon and Scotch, this is an intricate comparison. Each whiskey and whisky have such different methodologies, qualities and price points.

To make things easy, I’ve ranked each brand’s bottles into relatively comparable price tiers to help showcase their key differences. You can use the table below to navigate the tier you’re most interested in comparing.

A quick overview

Jack Daniels is an American whiskey brand based in Lynchburg, Tennessee. It was founded by Jasper Newton “Jack” in 1866 and has become a household name due to its easy drinking, low-cost whiskey varieties such as the Old No.7 and Gentleman Jack.

Johnnie Walker is a Scottish whisky brand based in Kilmarnock, Scotland. They solely specialise in making blended whisky and are consistently the world’s top-selling Scotch. They’re best known for their iconic Red Label and Black Label bottles.

What are the main differences between Jack Daniels and Johnnie Walker?

The main difference between Jack Daniels and Johnnie Walker is the type of whiskey they each produce. Jack Daniels make Tennessee whiskey while Johnnie Walker make blended Scotch whisky. Here’s a more detailed explanation of these below;

Tennessee whiskey must be made in the state of Tennessee (USA) using a mashbill containing at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years. Unlike bourbon, it is also charcoal mellowed prior to ageing using a method known as the Lincoln County process.

Blended Scotch must be made in Scotland by carefully mixing single malt and/or grain whiskies. No younger than 3 years old, they can vary in age, distillery and region to create a particular flavour profile for the blend.

It’s worth mentioning that Johnnie Walker is the flagship brand for multinational beverage company Diageo. Owning and producing 40% of all Scotch whisky, they select and work with their vast network of distilleries to facilitate Johnnie Walker’s range of blended whiskies.

To put this in perspective, Johnnie Walker Red Label is made of 30 different whiskies from around Scotland, whilst their Black Label uses 40.

Jack Daniels vs Johnnie Walker Red Label

Jack Daniels Old No.7

Jack Daniels Old No.7 whiskey is Jack Daniel’s iconic, signature bottle of Tennessee whiskey that’s been around since 1866. This Jack Daniels whiskey is made using the famous Lincoln County process, which involves filtering the spirits through sugar maple charcoal. Jack Daniels Old No.7 is bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof), and offers an intense aroma of toasted oak, caramel and vanilla, followed by a sweet taste with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Jack Daniels Old No.7 also has a uniquely smooth finish, making it a favourite amongst Jack Daniel’s fans worldwide.

Johnnie Walker Red Label

Johnnie Walker Red Label is an iconic blend of whisky that’s been enjoyed for generations. This classic blend of 30 single malt and grain whiskies has a bold and full-bodied flavour with vibrant, smoky notes. Its unique blend marries light whiskies from Scotland’s East Coast with more peaty whiskies from the West, creating an extraordinary depth of flavour that can only be found in Johnnie Walker Red Label. It is a no age statement whisky, meaning it does not display the age of the youngest whisky used in its blend, but instead emphasis the combined aged flavours and aromas of every whisky within its recipe. A timeless classic, Johnnie Walker Red Label is both affordable and easy to enjoy neat or mixed.

Old No.7 vs Red Label

Both these editions are each brand’s entry-level, core expression bottlings. Each are relitively basic in depth and complexity and would be considered fairly low-shelf in terms of quality. For something sweet, affordable and easy to drink, Jack Daniels Ol No.7 is a good option for bourbon lovers. For something more smoky or to use inside a whisky-based cocktail, the Red Label is your best bet. Don’t expect great depth of flavour from either of these bottles.

Jack Daniels Rye Whiskey vs Johnnie Walker Double Black Label

Jack Daniels Rye Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s Rye whiskey is a unique and complex spirit, crafted with a high rye mash-bill composed of 18% corn, 70% rye and 12% malted barley. Since prohibition, this is the brand’s first deviation from their staple 80% corn mashbill which makes this their only non Tennessee whiskey standard bottling. Jack Daniels uses the same charcoal filtration process for this expression as it does for its other whiskeys. The result is an exceptionally smooth whiskey, full of flavour and character.

Jack Daniels Rye whiskey has a distinct sweetness that gives way to charred wood, honey, vanilla, anise and subtle nutty notes. Its deep amber colour and pleasant aroma make it an inviting drink that can be enjoyed neat or mixed into cocktails. Jack Daniel’s Rye whiskey is also reasonably priced compared to some of the more expensive offerings on the market and offers excellent value for money when considering its quality and flavour profile.

Johnnie Walker Double Black Label

Originally for the travel retail market, Johnnie Walker Double Black label is the younger, more unruly sibling to their staple Black Label. It’s a bold and intense whisky made with smoky whiskies from the west coast of Scotland and aged in extensively charred barrels to give it a rich, malty flavour. With a deep, brooding intensity and hints of smokiness, this dram is ideal for those who enjoy Islay single malts.

Comparing Jack Daniels Rye vs Double Black Label

Each of these bottles are a notch above both brand’s entry level expressions, packing a little more punch in their respective fields. Jack Daniels Rye is an outlier within the Lynchburg distillery’s range, offering much more spice thanks to the unique high-rye mashbill. If you enjoy a little heat, this bottle is a nice deviation from the usual vanilla sweetness offered by Jack Daniels.

Similarly, the Double Black Label is an unusually peaty offering compared to the typically rounded Johnnie Walker profile. Leaning towards a bolder, peatier West Coast character, this blend has a defining smokiness which makes it stand-out bottle within their range. For something a little more punchy, the Double Black edition is a peat-lovers dream.

Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniels vs Johnnie Walker Black Label

Gentleman Jack

Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack is a smooth whiskey with a nice taste and finish. It is made using traditional methods, and then charcoal mellowed twice in sugar maple to make it extra smooth. This extra filtration amplifies all the characteristics of their flagship Old No.7 bottle for an elevated, more refined whiskey. It has a spicy nose with caramel, charred oak and aniseed. There is liquorice, oak, cinnamon and banana on the palate. In the finish, there are roasted nuts with spice and citrus flavours left behind.

Johnnie Walker Black Label

Positioned as the Red Label’s ‘big brother’, this blended Scotch is still one of the more affordable products in the Johnny Walker lineup. It consists of a wider blend of 40 malt and wheat whiskeys which have been matured for a minimum of 12 years. Its lightness and sweetness make it an excellent choice for people who’re new to drinking whisky and it’s also great for making cocktails. Black Label has a strong fruity smell with sweetness from vanilla. The taste is creamy toffee, sweet fruit and spice. A tremendously versatile and easy to drink Scotch blend.

Comparing Gentleman Jack vs Black Label Johnnie Walker

Moving up the hierarchy once more, these low to midfield bottles are much more complex in their depth and character. Gentleman Jack is an elevation of the flagship Old No.7 bottle, with heightened flavours of vanilla, banana and caramel. Having been double charcoal mellowed, this bottle is a smooth Tennessee whiskey with deeper complexity and charming sweetness.

Big brother to the Red Label bottle, Johnnie Walker Black Label has much greater depth and balance to its flavour. Fruity, sweet and lightly spiced, this mid-market Scotch blend stands on its own. Compared to the Gentleman Jack, this would make a better all-round choice due to its superior complexity.

Gentleman Jack vs Johnnie Walker Green Label

Gentleman Jack

Designed as a refined, smoother sibling to their signature Old No.7 bottle, Gentleman Jack is Jack Daniels’ elevated Tennessee whiskey. Undergoing two stages of charcoal mellowing, it’s filtered before and after barrel maturation to remove any impurities from the spirit. Showcasing the usual bourbon flavours of caramel, vanilla and oak, it’s a mellowed version of the distillery’s Old No.7 which is just that bit easier to drink.

Johnnie Walker Green Label

This Green Label bottling is a unique specimen amongst the Johnnie Walker line-up. Excluding any grain whiskeys, it’s their only blend which solely uses single malts from the four corners of Scotland; Speyside, Highland, Lowland and the Islands. Matured in American and European oak casks, it has an earthy, fruity and floral smell and a rich, woody taste with notes of oak and cedar. It also has smoky and peaty flavours. The whisky is aged for at least 15 years.

Comparing Gentleman Jack vs Johnnie Walker Green Label

For this comparison, this is where the two brand’s begin to diverge. Gentleman Jack is the step above Jack Daniels’ Old No.7 whereas Johnnie Walker Green Label really kicks things up a gear.

As mentioned previously Gentleman Jack is double charcoal mellowed. It takes all the signature vanilla and caramel sweetness of the Old No.7 and delivers it in a smoother, oaky bottle. Some claim this version is actually a little tamer than the Old No.7, but that’s mostly due to the two-stage charcoal filtering before and after barrel maturation. For JD fans, this is certainly a step above their flagship bottle, but certainly isn’t in the same league as the JW Green Label.

Aged for 15 years, Johnnie Walker’s Green Label is a fruity, woody blend of purely single malts. With hints of smoke and peat, this bottle boasts a rich and deep flavour profile that trumps JD’s Gentleman Jack. Not exactly a fair comparison, the calibre of this Scotch blend is reflected in the price tag. If you’re looking for a higher end Johnnie Walker experience, this would be a fantastic bottle to go with.

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select vs Johnnie Walker Gold Label

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select is a unique handcrafted whiskey crafted from Jack Daniels’ famous Tennessee Whiskey recipe. It’s made using their original mashbill and then aged in a single barrel for at least four years. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select carries a slightly higher ABV of 45% (90-proof), making it a smooth, robust and full-bodied whiskey. For JD fans, this bottle is the perfect ‘next level up’, with elevated hallmark flavours of caramel, oak-spice and fruity sweetness. If you’re looking for a heightened Tennessee whiskey experience, this single barrel expression from Jack Daniels is one of their best.

Johnnie Walker Gold Label

Johnnie Walker Gold Label is a premium blended Scotch whisky with an intense flavour profile. On the nose, there are hints of heather, honey and sweet caramel notes, as well as light nutmeg spice. The palate is full-bodied and creamy with layers of velvety sweet fruits and honeyed tones, leading to a long-lasting finish that features gentle smokiness. It’s crafted using single malt whiskies from Clynelish distillery and has been expertly blended by master distiller Jim Beveridge to create a smooth and balanced whisky. The spirit has a velvety texture on the tongue and offers subtle traces of vanilla along with delicate nectar sweetness. All in all, Johnnie Walker Gold Label is a unique Scotch blend that will satisfy even the most discerning whisky drinker.

Comparing Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select vs Johnnie Walker Gold Label

For any American whiskey fan, single barrel editions are where things get interesting. The single barrel select by Jack Daniels offers a whole new level of flavour and depth from the Lynchburg distillery. At 90 proof, caramel, oak and spice and much more prevalent in this premium bottle. If you enjoy these sweet fruity flavours, the single barrel select is the pinnacle of classic JD character.

Similarly sweet, the Gold Label by Johnnie Walker is a honeyed masterpiece. Ideal for those with who like a sweet dram, the spiced and fruity flavours of this Scotch blend bring a pleasingly warm complexity. Compared to the single barrel select by Jack Daniels, the Gold Label is more smoky with floral nectar notes.

Choosing between the two, it comes down to your pallete. The Tennessee whiskey is sweet, oaky and balanced – a exemplary edition from Jack Daniel’s warehouse. For Scotch, the Gold Label is distinctly sweet but with more smoke and spice.

Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Barrel Strength vs Johnnie Walker 18 year old

Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Barrel Strength

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Proof whiskey is truly for whiskey aficionados. It is carefully selected from a single barrel, aged for a minimum of 5-6 years and bottled straight from the barrel at its full proof. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Proof has an intense flavour profile highlighting Jack’s signature notes of vanilla and toasted oak as well as hints of butterscotch and caramel. The high proof bottling packs a punch with its strength ranging from 125-140 proof, giving it a bold yet smooth character. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Proof is the ultimate in Jack Daniel’s whiskey, providing unparalleled complexity and depth of flavour that will delight any true JD fan.

Johnnie Walker 18 year old

Originally titled as their platinum edition, Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old is a super premium blend of 18 different single malt and grain whiskies from the four corners of Scotland including Cardhu, Glen Elgin, Auchroisk and Blair Athol amongst others. This higher-end expression packs bags of creamy vanilla, vibrant fruit and runny honey alongside soft wisps of smoke.

This exquisite blend is aged for 18 years in oak casks, allowing the flavours to marry perfectly and creating a deep complexity for an intense taste experience. Issued with a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II adds another layer of luxury to this blend, making it the perfect gift for any whisky lover or special occasion. If you’re looking for an elevated Johnnie Walker experience, the 18 year old should be your go-to expression.

Comparing Jack Daniels Single Barrel, Barrel Strength vs Johnnie Walker 18 year old

Jack Daniels Single Barrel features Jack’s signature notes of vanilla, toasted oak, butterscotch, and caramel. On the other hand, Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old is a blended Scotch whisky with 18 different single malt and grain whiskies sourced from across Scotland. This expression of Johnnie Walker offers intense flavours of creamy vanilla, vibrant fruit, runny honey, and soft wisps of smoke that have been mellowed out by 18 years in oak casks.

In terms of flavour profile and complexity, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Strength stands out with its high proof bottling while Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old has an added layer of luxury due to its Royal Warrant status. Those who prefer a sweeter profile should opt for Jack Daniels Single Barrel while those who enjoy smokier drams should reach for the Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

• Nose: Spice, vanilla & honey
• Palate: Caramel, hazelnuts & dark chocolate
• Finish: Long, warm & smoky
• Age: 28 years minimum, 60 years max.
• Region: Multi-region, Scotland
• Chill filtered: No
• Strength: 80 proof / 40% ABV.
• Classification: Blended Scotch
• Price: £179 / $49

Johnnie Walker Blue Label is the most exquisite whiskey from the renowned Johnnie Walker core range. It is a high-end blend of some of the rarest and most exceptional whiskeys from across Scotland, each hand-selected with remarkable depth to bring out its velvety smooth notes. Only one in ten thousand casks meet the standard to be selected for making this ultra premium Scotch.

With its incomparable rich texture and smoky flavour profile, this Scotch whisky is considered the pinnacle of blended Scotch. Blue Label has spicy, vanilla and honey flavours that mix together with caramel, hazelnuts and dark chocolate. It also has a long, warm and smoky finish which keeps you coming back for more.

Choosing between Jack Daniels & Johnnie Walker

As you’ll have discovered, these are two very different spirits from different parts of the world.

Both Jack Daniels and Johnnie Walker are internationally famous for their whiskies, the former from Tennessee USA and latter from Scotland. Each with high volume outputs, these brands are at the upper end of global whiskey/whisky production. Needless to say, there’s little rarity to their core-offerings which have been reviewed in this comparison guide.

Jack Daniels – final thoughts

For bourbon and American whiskey lovers, Jack Daniels is synonymous with this category. Renowned for its sweet flavour and famous charcoal mellowing process, their folio of Tennessee whiskeys range from low to upper mid-market.

Compared to Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels are a purer proposition. Their Tennessee whiskey is made and matured on their Lynchburg site using their time-tested mashbill recipe, own proprietary yeast strain and local cave spring water.

Thanks to the high corn mashbill and charcoal mellowing process, they produce very sweet and easy to drink whiskey. If you’re looking for smooth sipping bourbon, Jack Daniels is affordable and easily attainable in just about every bar or store around the world.

If American whiskey is your thing, go with Jack Daniels.

Johnnie Walker – final thoughts

Due to the surge and prominence of single malts, there’s a degree of snobbery which surrounds blended Scotch. But when it comes to premium blends, there’s few brands who do it better than Johnnie Walker.

Jewel in the Diageo crown, Johnnie Walker takes the best of the best from the world famous Scottish whisky industry. From each corner of Scotland, master blender Jim Beveridge concocts a sublime range of blends from their low-entry Red Label, right through to their coveted Blue Label.

With the famous Black Label containing up to 40 different whiskies, this is a very different proposition than the single distillery bourbon made by Jack Daniels.

If you’re new to Scotch, blends especially, Johnnie Walker’s range showcase the balance and complexity which can be achieved through such a diverse pool of Scottish distilleries and their unique characteristics. Compared to single malts, Johnnie Walker is a more holistic expression of Scotch whisky which is delivered in a highly sought after and approachable range of bottles.

Conclusion

Straight up, the Old No.7 and Johnnie Walker Red Label are pretty basic, low level expressions. They’re both very simple whiskies, but if I had to choose one over the other, I’d go with Jack Daniels as a dram and use the Red Label for cocktails. Neither are particularly thrilling on their own.

For the best low to mid-level experience, I’d go with the Johnnie Walker Black Label over the Gentleman Jack. For a very similar price point, it’s a superior whisky with much grater depth and character. With over 40 whiskies being used to make this blend, it’s simply a better drinking experience with ample smoke, spice and sweetness.

For a more adventurous experience, I’d recommend Jack Daniel’s straight rye whisky. It’s a lesser known edition from the Lynchburg distillery, but for it’s price point, it packs a tremendous spice with the typical Jack sweetness.

For the best mid-to high level experience, I’d go with the Jack Daniels Single Barrel Proof or Johnnie Walker’s Green Label. The single barrel proof is just high-end, unadulterated Tennessee whiskey. At 129 proof (64.5% ABV), you get the full JD experience with lovely sweet flavours of fruit, oak and spice.

For something a little more special, Johnnie Walker Green Label is a real stand-out bottle for me. The fact it’s made entirely from single malt whiskies, it’s like an unofficial super single malt. This whisky has a great balance, being neither too peaty, nor too sweet. For the cheaper price point, I think you get way more for your money on this one.

Break the bank option. Needless to say, the Blue Label by Johnnie Walker is without doubt the top tier bottle in this line-up. Blended with whiskies ranging from 28 to 60 years old, this is a truly special Scotch that, if you can afford, would be a very tasty dram indeed.

Sure, a 70cl bottle is over $200USD, but you could always go for a smaller tasting set online if you want to take this beaty for a spin. Compared to Jack Daniels, the Blue Label isn’t really a fair comparison, but you’d certainly do well to give this ultra-blend a try.

As these whiskies are so different, this wasn’t an easy comparison to write. With the reviews and insights above, hopefully you can navigate both brand’s folio’s with a little more ease.

Thanks for stopping by.

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