Review: Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years Old (2026)

For reasons entirely accidental, I nearly became a Dry January participant. A string of family health scares has a way of recalibrating priorities, and when paired with ice storms so aggressive they felt rude and very personal, usual routines fell into a holding pattern. Drinks were skipped, bottles gathered dust, and restraint made an unscheduled home visit. Now that the weather has shifted to “insufferably brutal” mode and larger anxieties have loosened their grip, I bought a bottle of Green and spent an evening reacquainting myself with an old companion I hadn’t visited in decades. Conveniently, we were overdue for a return here anyway.

Johnnie Walker Green Label 15 Years Old (2026) Review

Green has always occupied a particular niche in the lineup and has some devoted fans who insist it’s the best value per ounce in the entire Walker portfolio. Unlike some of the more familiar stalwarts, this is a substantial blend drawing from Talisker, Linkwood, Cragganmore and, because it never misses an invitation to the party, Caol Ila. That peat from the Caol Ila announces itself immediately on the nose, brisk and unmistakable, followed by developing notes of cinnamon and leather as the glass sits.

On the palate, that peated influence remains present but sidesteps to allow sweeter cereal notes to emerge. There’s also a progression into dates and chopped walnut notes toward the back end, providing a sense of depth rather than a wave of blunt force. The finish carries sweetness forward, layering in oak and honey, with a subtle salinity and smoke returning once the fruit notes diminish. It’s measured and more nuanced than faded memories might suggest.

However, nostalgia doesn’t pay the bill at the end of service. Our archives show Green at $46 in 2008. This bottle set me back $75. Tariffs and the ongoing geopolitical trade goose-stepping around whisky are but a few reasons for the jump, but the quality hasn’t elevated in lockstep with the 57 percent increase. It’s no longer the bargain it once was. Still, when Gold and Blue are out of contention and Black or Double Black don’t quite rise to the occasion, Green remains a satisfying choice. One that feels earned after a long month.

B+ / $75 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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