Johnnie Walker Black Label 12
Scotland
Blend of ~40 single malts and grain whiskies. Grain component dilutes the heavier malt congeners. Caramel colored, chill filtered.
- Aging
- 12 years, mixed cask blend
- Congeners
- Moderate
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- Low
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- Very Low
- Additives
- Moderate
In its favor
- ✓Grain whisky base softens the malt impact
- ✓Consistent flavor profile
What to watch
- !Caramel coloring (E150a)
- !Chill filtration removes flavor compounds (and some allergens)
Factor by factor
Congeners Moderate ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Moderate ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Low ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Low ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Very Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Moderate ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Black Label’s grain component makes it chemically lighter than the average single malt at the same age: a real, if unsexy, advantage for the hangover-conscious.
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 questions
Is Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 gluten-free? ▾
Not by label. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 is distilled from a gluten-containing grain, so US rules bar it from claiming gluten-free. Distillation does remove the gluten protein, and the Celiac Disease Foundation considers distilled spirits safe for most coeliacs. If you would rather avoid the question, pick a spirit distilled from corn, potato, grape or agave.
What proof is Johnnie Walker Black Label 12? ▾
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 is 80 proof, which is 40% alcohol by volume.
Does Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 give you a bad hangover? ▾
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 scores 5/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 7/10 for scotch overall. It is low on every hangover factor we track, so most of the morning after comes down to how much ethanol you drink.
Is Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 vegan? ▾
Yes. Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.