Johnnie Walker Red Label is a blended Scotch whose story begins in 1820 and which remains the best-selling Scotch in the world. The colour is amber gold. The nose is bold and layered: fresh citrus and green apple sit alongside smoky, spicy notes of black pepper and cinnamon. The palate is energetic — vanilla and honey sweetness quickly gives way to pepper and smoke, deepened by maturation in charred oak. The finish is long and warming, with a smoky trail. It is good neat and over ice, but holds its own especially well in mixes: with cola or ginger ale, plenty of ice and a wedge of lime.