The penultimate release in Johnnie Walker’s series of standard editions is Platinum Label. The 18-year-old blend occupies the space between the non age statement releases of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve and the strictly top shelf Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Housed in an impressive oversized hard plastic box, Platinum Label is what Johnnie Walker considers to be their most appropriate blend to give as a gift. The gorgeous bottle and overall presentation make an impression before popping the cork, to be sure.

Enjoying their position as the world’s top-selling whisky label has afforded the blenders at Johnnie Walker access to a wide range of single malts from which to shape their signature releases. In days gone by, master distillers would create “private blends” out of their more premium spirits. This is how today’s Johnnie Walker Platinum Label is intended to be viewed and marketed. The packaging and presentation does this justice as the bottle stands apart from others on any display shelf, perhaps only taking an aesthetic second chair to the top-tier Blue Label. This is certainly appropriate given their respective positions in the overall lineup, with Blue Label commanding a suggested retail price nearly double that of the somewhat premium-priced Platinum Label.

In terms of profile, Platinum Label is best described as having a strong representation of the Speyside region of Scotland punctuated by the peat smoke of Islay. The release is bottled at an easily approachable 40% ABV (80 proof) and features an 18 year age statement.

In their place will arise Johnnie Walker’s Platinum Label, an 18 Year Old blended whisky which is reported to have more of an intense, peaty character when compared to the Clynelish dominant Gold Label. Platinum is positioned between Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve Label within the hierarchy.

Johnnie Walker has created three limited edition bottles for its Red Label, Black Label, and Gold Label Reserve Whiskies to celebrate the Diageo-owned brand’s 200th anniversary. On the usual bottles, a slanted label features the blended Scotch’s name/color, but that has been updated to an opaque wrap that covers the entire bottle. Don’t worry, the Whisky inside the bottles remains the same.

“These limited edition bottles give a bold new look to our most iconic whiskies and perfectly celebrate Johnnie Walker’s depth of character as we celebrate this incredible 200-year milestone,” said Ali Reynolds, Johnnie Walker GB brand ambassador “This striking new design is sure to stand out on shelf and appeal to both enthusiasts and those who are new to the Scotch scene. The new bottles also make an ideal option for gifting occasions as we showcase the innovative brand ethos and open the doors to a new generation of whisky drinkers.”

The 200th anniversary celebrates the year, 1820, when John Walker bought an Italian warehouse, grocery, and wine and spirits shop on the High Street in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland.

All three bottles are now available for purchase now from major retailers and can also be purchased directly from shop.malts.com.

It’s been a big year of releases for Johnnie Walker as it celebrates its 200th Anniversary. Back in July, the blended Scotch brand unveiled three limited edition Whiskies: Blue Label Legendary Eight, Celebratory Blend, and Bicentenary Blend as well as a limited edition bottle design. Each anniversary release celebrates part of the famed brand’s two century journey. All four releases are expected to hit shelves across the globe in October.