Is there anyone who, even at 40 years old, knows very little about alcohol? That's me.

When friends talk about drinks and someone asks, "Have you tried Johnny Blue?" I used to think, 'Johnny Blue? Is that a friend of Johnny Depp?'

But as I've gotten older, I feel like I should know at least one bottle of whiskey at gatherings.

Among them, the name I hear the most is Johnny Walker. It's always the one that stands out at supermarkets or duty-free shops.

The problem is, Johnny Walker isn't just one bottle; it's divided by 'label color.' Red, Black, Green, Gold, Blue... You can tell at a glance that they are of different grades, but someone like me, who knows little about alcohol, thought, "Aren't they just packaged differently?"

So I looked into the differences one by one.

Johnny Walker Red

This is definitely for beginners. It's the cheapest, and you can easily find it at any bar. The taste is honestly quite strong. When I first drank it, I thought, "Ah, whiskey is supposed to burn your throat like this." It gets a bit better when mixed with soda as a highball, but if you drink it straight, someone who isn't used to alcohol will definitely cough. So, when you want to have a strong drink today, or if you want to create an atmosphere while saying, "I don't know much about whiskey," Red Label is a suitable choice.

Johnny Walker Black

The Black is one step up from the Red. You can tell right away that it's smoother than the Red. I'm not knowledgeable about alcohol, so I can't really describe complex flavors, but I can say, "Ah, this feels a bit more luxurious." A friend explained that it's aged for about 12 years. I couldn't help but say, "12 years is the age when our kid starts elementary school, right?" At this point, it's also good for gifts, and if you say at a company dinner, "This is Black Label," it makes you look a bit more impressive.

Johnny Walker Green

This one is a bit unique. While the other labels are blended whiskey, the Green is a 'blended malt whiskey.' Honestly, from the perspective of someone who knows little about alcohol, I don't really understand what that means. But when you drink it, it feels like it has a richer aroma than the others. It's like the feeling of drinking next to a campfire in the woods. It fits well with the name 'Green.' The price is a bit higher than Black but much cheaper than Blue. It seems like a label that people with a clear personal taste would enjoy.

Johnny Walker Gold

At this point, the name shines. Since it's 'Gold,' it feels like you've become rich. I once tried Gold Label at a wedding reception, and my impression was, 'Ah, is this not alcohol but dessert?' While Red or Black hits you hard, Gold is very smooth and sweet. Even someone who isn't good with alcohol can drink it comfortably. So it's great for couples to drink on anniversaries, and when you bring it out at an important gathering saying, "Today is special, so let's have Gold Label," the atmosphere changes completely.

Johnny Walker Blue

Finally, we have the Blue Label, which is almost like the ultimate in the whiskey world. It's overwhelmingly expensive. The first time I tried Blue Label, it was when a senior poured it for me, saying, "Hey, you know you're lucky today." What I felt in that one sip was... to be honest, it was just smooth and luxurious. But everyone around said, "Wow, it's Blue Label," and created an atmosphere, so I also put on a face that said, "Wow, it's definitely different." In fact, even if I can't distinguish the taste differences precisely, there's a symbolism that the label carries.

To summarize the Johnny Walker labels from the perspective of someone who knows little about alcohol:

Red Label: For beginners, easy to drink.

Black Label: A more luxurious basic choice.

Green Label: A choice with aroma and personality.

Gold Label: Smooth and sweet for special occasions.

Blue Label: A symbol of wealth, the ultimate atmosphere.

Someone like me can't give a grand tasting review of whiskey. But one thing I know for sure is.

Experiencing each Johnny Walker label creates its own story in those moments.

In the end, while the taste of alcohol is important, who you drink with and in what situation matters even more.

What I felt while drinking these whiskeys is that Johnny Walker creates different memories with each color.