Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label 200th Anniversary Edition gives one of the world’s most recognisable blended Scotch whiskies a bold new appearance.
Created as a second visual interpretation of Johnnie Walker’s bicentenary Icons collection, the release contains the established Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old blend inside a dramatic limited-edition bottle.
The whisky is produced using malt and grain whiskies drawn from across Scotland, with every component matured for a minimum of 12 years. More than 29 distilleries can contribute to the blend, allowing the Johnnie Walker blending team to balance fruit, vanilla, spice, oak and smoke within one consistent expression.
Bottled at 40% ABV in a 70cl format, Icons 2.0 delivers dark plum, blackberry, vanilla and caramel before moving into gentle oak, spice and a lingering smoky finish.
Its collectable value comes from the presentation rather than a different recipe or secondary cask finish.
The bottle offers the familiar Black Label drinking experience while providing Johnnie Walker collectors with a separate design to display alongside the first Icons Black Label 200th Anniversary Edition.
Customers can buy Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label, explore the complete Johnnie Walker collection, or browse more bottles within HTFW’s blended Scotch whisky range.
Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label: Key Details
The current bottle available through Hard To Find Whisky has the following specifications:
- Producer: Johnnie Walker
- Expression: Icons 2.0 Black Label 200th Anniversary Edition
- Style: Blended Scotch whisky
- Age statement: 12 years old
- Bottle size: 70cl
- Alcohol strength: 40% ABV
- Country of origin: Scotland
- Number of contributing distilleries: More than 29 can be used within Black Label
- Cask material: Oak
- Closure: Screw cap
- Packaging: Unboxed
- Edition type: Limited bicentenary bottle design
- Primary flavours: Plum, blackberry, vanilla and caramel
- Additional character: Oak, spice, honeyed warmth and smoke
- Recommended serves: Neat, over ice, in a highball or with ginger ale
- Best suited to: Johnnie Walker collectors, anniversary gifts and blended Scotch drinkers
The current HTFW product information does not identify a separate cask finish, alternative blending recipe or higher bottling strength for Icons 2.0.
It should therefore be understood as a presentation-led limited edition containing classic Johnnie Walker Black Label.
What Is Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0?
Icons 2.0 is a limited-edition design applied to Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old.
The bottle forms part of the wider series created around Johnnie Walker’s 200th anniversary.
It combines:
- The familiar square Johnnie Walker bottle
- A dramatic contemporary graphic treatment
- The diagonal Black Label
- The Striding Man identity
- Classic 12-year-old Black Label whisky
- A limited collectable presentation
- A connection with the brand’s bicentenary
The “2.0” name distinguishes this bottle from the first Icons Black Label design.
Both editions contain the same established style of whisky, but their different appearances allow collectors to treat them as separate releases.
Icons 2.0 is not:
- A sequel blend with a new recipe
- A higher-strength Black Label
- A special single-cask release
- A differently aged whisky
- A rum, wine or sherry-cask finish
- A flavoured Scotch
- A replacement for standard Black Label
The change is visual rather than liquid-led.
That distinction makes the bottle particularly attractive to customers who already enjoy Black Label but want a less familiar version for gifting or display.
What Is the Difference Between Icons and Icons 2.0?
Johnnie Walker produced more than one graphic interpretation of the Black Label Icons concept.
The two bottles share the same broad purpose: celebrating the heritage and visual identity of Johnnie Walker through a contemporary limited-edition design.
Original Icons Black Label
The original Johnnie Walker Icons Black Label offers the first fashion-inspired interpretation of the anniversary theme.
Its key details include:
- 12-year-old Black Label
- 40% ABV
- 70cl bottle
- Limited 200th-anniversary presentation
- Separate original Icons design
- Current HTFW bottle supplied unboxed
Icons 2.0 Black Label
Icons 2.0 updates the visual treatment while retaining:
- 12-year-old Black Label
- 40% ABV
- 70cl bottle
- A limited anniversary presentation
- The same recognised Black Label style
- An unboxed format on the current HTFW listing
The most meaningful difference is the bottle artwork.
Customers choosing one bottle can simply select the design they prefer. Collectors may choose both so that the two graphic editions can be displayed together.
Is Icons 2.0 a Different Whisky?
No separate whisky formulation has been announced for Icons 2.0.
The bottle contains Johnnie Walker Black Label, made with malt and grain whiskies matured for at least 12 years.
Its flavour remains centred on:
- Dark fruit
- Sweet vanilla
- Caramel
- Malt
- Oak
- Warm spice
- Gentle peat smoke
The limited-edition element is the design.
Customers looking purely for the drinking experience can choose standard Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old.
Customers interested in collectability, graphic packaging or Johnnie Walker’s anniversary programme may prefer Icons 2.0.
Why Was the Icons Collection Created?
Johnnie Walker marked its 200th anniversary in 2020.
The milestone commemorated two centuries since John Walker opened his grocery shop in Kilmarnock, Scotland, in 1820.
The anniversary programme examined different parts of the brand’s history through:
- New bottle designs
- Rare blended whiskies
- Historic recipe inspiration
- Stories of international expansion
- The square bottle
- The angled label
- The Striding Man
- Johnnie Walker’s continuing association with progress
The programme included exceptionally rare whiskies such as John Walker & Sons Bicentenary Blend alongside more accessible limited presentations of established releases.
Black Label Icons allowed a wider group of customers to participate in the anniversary without purchasing an ultra-premium aged blend.
Icons 2.0 continued that approach with a second bottle design.
Rather than changing the liquid, Johnnie Walker used the famous square bottle as a canvas through which its history could be reinterpreted.
Why Is It Called an Icon?
Several elements of Johnnie Walker have become instantly recognisable throughout the world.
These include:
- The square bottle
- The diagonal label
- The Striding Man
- The Black Label name
- The colour-coded range
- The “Keep Walking” philosophy
Black Label is itself one of the most recognisable premium blended Scotch whiskies.
The Icons collection brings these elements to the foreground.
Instead of hiding the brand beneath unrelated artwork, the anniversary designs exaggerate and reinterpret familiar Johnnie Walker features.
The result remains recognisable even though the bottle looks substantially different from the standard release.
The Story of John Walker
John Walker was born near Kilmarnock in 1805.
Following the sale of his family farm, he opened a grocery shop in Kilmarnock in 1820.
Grocery shops of the period sold a broad range of imported and domestic products, including:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Spices
- Wine
- Spirits
- Locally produced whisky
The quality and flavour of whisky could vary considerably between individual purchases.
John Walker began blending whiskies to create a more dependable product for his customers.
His early blends laid the foundation for a business built around consistency.
Following John’s death in 1857, responsibility passed to his son, Alexander Walker, who expanded the company and developed several features still associated with Johnnie Walker today.
Why Is the Johnnie Walker Bottle Square?
Alexander Walker introduced the square bottle as a practical improvement.
Compared with round bottles, square bottles could:
- Fit more efficiently into shipping cases
- Leave less empty space
- Move less during transport
- Reduce breakage
- Be identified quickly on a shelf
The design became particularly valuable as Johnnie Walker expanded into international markets.
A practical packaging decision gradually became a central part of the brand’s appearance.
The Icons collection retains the square bottle because removing it would weaken the immediate connection with Johnnie Walker.
Instead, the anniversary artwork builds around the familiar shape.
Why Is the Label Slanted?
The Johnnie Walker label is applied at a distinctive angle.
The diagonal design helped the bottle stand out from competing whiskies and created additional space for the name.
It later became one of the brand’s clearest visual signatures.
Limited editions may alter:
- Colour
- Pattern
- Illustration
- Typography
- Background design
The label generally retains its diagonal direction, ensuring that the bottle continues to look like Johnnie Walker.
Icons 2.0 uses this familiar feature as part of its more dramatic overall presentation.
Who Is the Striding Man?
The Striding Man was created during the early twentieth century by illustrator Tom Browne.
The figure is shown walking confidently forward and has come to represent:
- Progress
- Momentum
- Optimism
- Confidence
- International travel
- The continuing Johnnie Walker story
The image developed into one of the best-known logos in the spirits industry.
It has been reinterpreted through:
- Simplified brand marks
- Metallic bottle decorations
- Fashion collaborations
- Regional editions
- Anniversary bottles
- Cultural partnerships
- Collectable designs
The Icons series places the Striding Man within a contemporary graphic environment while retaining his connection with movement and progress.
What Is Johnnie Walker Black Label?
Johnnie Walker Black Label is a 12-year-old blended Scotch whisky.
It combines single malt and single grain whiskies drawn from across Scotland.
Every whisky used within the blend has matured for at least 12 years.
Black Label is designed to bring several contrasting Scotch whisky flavours together:
- Sweet fruit
- Dark berries
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Malt
- Warm spice
- Oak
- Gentle smoke
Single malt whisky provides much of the individual fruit, malt, smoke and distillery character.
Single grain whisky contributes sweetness, creaminess and a smoother texture.
The blending team combines these components so that no individual distillery dominates the finished whisky.
More Than 29 Scottish Distilleries
Johnnie Walker states that Black Label can use single malt and grain whiskies drawn from more than 29 distilleries.
This broad selection gives the blending team access to numerous flavour styles.
Potential components can bring:
- Honeyed Speyside fruit
- Highland malt and structure
- Lowland grain-whisky sweetness
- Island and Islay smoke
- Coastal character
- Dried fruit
- Vanilla
- Waxiness
- Nuts
- Baking spice
Not every distillery needs to contribute the same volume or flavour intensity.
Some whiskies form the underlying structure, while smaller quantities of strongly flavoured spirit can bring smoke, fruit or depth.
The final blend is designed to taste like Johnnie Walker Black Label rather than a collection of unrelated individual whiskies.
What Does Blended Scotch Mean?
Blended Scotch whisky combines one or more single malt Scotch whiskies with one or more single grain Scotch whiskies.
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Single malt must be:
- Produced at one distillery in Scotland
- Made using malted barley
- Distilled in pot stills
- Matured in oak
- Bottled according to Scotch whisky regulations
Single malt can contribute:
- Orchard fruit
- Dried fruit
- Malted grain
- Baking spice
- Smoke
- Coastal character
- Weight and texture
Single Grain Scotch Whisky
Single grain is also produced at one Scottish distillery, but it can use permitted cereal grains in addition to malted barley.
It is commonly produced through continuous distillation.
Grain whisky can contribute:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Light cereal
- Creaminess
- Sweetness
- A softer texture
Blending is not simply a process of diluting malt whisky with grain spirit.
Creating a recognised blend requires the whisky maker to understand how many different mature components will interact.
The aim is consistency, complexity and balance.
What Does the 12-Year Age Statement Mean?
The age statement identifies the youngest whisky in the bottle.
Every malt and grain component used in Black Label has therefore matured in oak for at least 12 years.
Some whisky in the blend may be older, but none can be younger than the declared age.
During maturation, oak can contribute:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Toast
- Spice
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Colour
- Tannic structure
The spirit also changes through gradual interaction with the cask and warehouse air.
Sharper flavours soften and individual characteristics become more integrated.
The 12-year minimum gives the Johnnie Walker blending team mature stocks from which to build Black Label’s recognised combination of fruit, sweetness and smoke.
What Casks Are Used for Black Label?
Johnnie Walker does not present Black Label as a single-cask-type whisky.
A large blended Scotch can draw on whiskies matured in different types of oak, including casks that previously held bourbon or sherry.
Those casks can contribute different characteristics.
Ex-Bourbon Casks
Bourbon barrels commonly add:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Coconut
- Honey
- Sweet oak
- Light baking spice
Sherry-Seasoned Casks
Sherry casks can contribute:
- Raisin
- Fig
- Plum
- Nuts
- Dark fruit
- Richer spice
- Additional colour
Refill Casks
Refill oak has already matured Scotch whisky.
Its influence is more restrained, allowing greater focus on:
- Distillery character
- Malt
- Fruit
- Gentle oak
- Gradual integration
The blender combines these different influences to create the desired Black Label profile.
Icons 2.0 does not introduce a new finishing cask beyond the established blend.
Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Tasting Notes
The following tasting notes reflect the current HTFW product profile.
Appearance
Deep amber with copper-gold highlights and a warm mahogany glow.
The colour suggests mature oak, vanilla richness and the darker fruit associated with the blend.
Nose
Dark plum and blackberry lead the aroma.
Creamy vanilla brings sweetness, while subtle oak and spice provide definition.
A restrained smoky undercurrent sits behind the fruit rather than dominating the nose.
The result is polished and inviting, balancing ripe fruit with classic Johnnie Walker smoke.
Palate
Silky and balanced.
Plum and blackberry develop alongside rich vanilla and caramel.
Malted sweetness provides body through the centre of the palate, while oak and spice gradually build.
The smoke remains controlled, supporting the fruit and sweetness rather than covering them.
Finish
Long and gently smoky.
Dark fruit and vanilla remain present as peat smoke gradually fades into a warm, refined conclusion.
A honeyed impression gives the finish additional softness.
What Does Icons 2.0 Taste Like?
Customers should expect the familiar Black Label profile:
- Dark plum
- Blackberry
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Honeyed malt
- Gentle spice
- Oak
- Peat smoke
It is richer and smokier than many light blended Scotch whiskies, but considerably more approachable than a heavily peated Islay single malt.
Drinkers should not expect:
- A completely different whisky from Black Label
- An additional wine-cask finish
- Cask-strength alcohol
- Heavy medicinal peat
- Strong coastal salinity
- An unusually sweet liqueur-like style
Its appeal lies in the balance between dark fruit, sweet vanilla and restrained smoke.
Is Johnnie Walker Black Label Sweet?
Black Label has a clear sweet core.
Its sweeter flavours include:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Honey
- Plum
- Blackberry
- Malted grain
- Light toffee
These are balanced by:
- Oak
- Baking spice
- Peat smoke
- A gently drying finish
The whisky is not flavoured or sweetened like a liqueur.
Its perceived sweetness comes from the mature grain whisky, malt components and oak casks.
Is Icons 2.0 Smoky?
Yes, although the smoke is controlled rather than dominant.
Johnnie Walker describes the Black Label style as sweet fruit, spice and vanilla wrapped in smoke.
The smoke gives the whisky definition and prevents the fruit and caramel from becoming overly soft.
Icons 2.0 is suitable for:
- Drinkers beginning to explore smoky whisky
- Customers who want peat balanced by sweetness
- Serving neat
- Highballs
- Ginger-ale serves
- Pairing with grilled food
Customers seeking more smoke can choose Johnnie Walker Double Black.
Double Black places greater emphasis on peated whisky and deeply charred oak, creating a darker and more intense style.
How Should You Drink Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0?
The whisky can be served neat, over ice, in a highball or with a mixer.
Collectors may prefer to keep the bottle unopened, but the familiar 40% ABV Black Label blend is versatile when opened.
Neat
Pour a measure into a whisky glass.
Allow it to rest briefly before tasting.
Neat serving provides the clearest balance of plum, blackberry, vanilla, caramel and smoke.
With Water
Add several drops of water.
This can soften the alcohol and reveal more dark fruit and malted sweetness.
Avoid adding too much immediately because the whisky is already bottled at an approachable strength.
Over Ice
Serve over one large ice cube.
Gradual chilling and dilution bring caramel and vanilla forward while reducing the prominence of spice and smoke.
With Soda Water
A highball lengthens the whisky without adding significant sweetness.
Carbonation lifts the fruit and smoke, creating a refreshing serve.
With Ginger Ale
Ginger ale reinforces the whisky’s spice while complementing vanilla and caramel.
A lime wedge introduces additional freshness.
With Lemonade
Lemonade produces a sweeter and more citrus-led highball.
The whisky’s smoke helps keep the drink from becoming one-dimensional.
With Peach Iced Tea
Johnnie Walker recommends Black Label with peach iced tea as an alternative highball.
Peach complements the dark fruit while the tea provides a lightly tannic counterpoint to caramel and vanilla.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Highball
Ingredients
- 50ml Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 150ml chilled soda water
- Plenty of ice
- Lemon peel
Method
Fill a tall glass with fresh ice.
Add the whisky and top slowly with chilled soda water.
Stir gently and garnish with lemon peel.
The soda lifts the dark fruit and smoke while preserving the overall Black Label character.
Johnnie and Ginger
Ingredients
- 50ml Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 150ml chilled ginger ale
- Ice
- Lime wedge
Method
Fill a highball glass with ice.
Add the whisky and top with ginger ale.
Stir once and garnish with lime.
Ginger strengthens the baking spice, while lime cuts through the vanilla and caramel.
Black Label and Peach Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 50ml Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 150ml chilled peach iced tea
- Ice
- Lemon slice
Method
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Add the whisky and top with peach iced tea.
Stir gently and garnish with lemon.
Peach develops the fruit-led side of Black Label, while tea provides structure and balances the sweeter flavours.
Black Label Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 50ml Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 5ml sugar syrup
- Two or three dashes of aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Orange peel
Method
Stir the whisky, sugar syrup and bitters with ice.
Strain over one large ice cube and garnish with orange peel.
Use the sugar sparingly so that the whisky’s vanilla, dark fruit and smoke remain balanced.
Black Label Rob Roy
Ingredients
- 50ml Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 25ml sweet vermouth
- Two dashes of aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Cocktail cherry
Method
Stir all ingredients with ice until chilled.
Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.
Sweet vermouth reinforces plum and blackberry, while smoke provides a dry counterpoint.
Black Label Whisky Sour
Ingredients
- 50ml Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 25ml fresh lemon juice
- 15ml sugar syrup
- Egg white, optional
- Ice
- Lemon peel
Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker.
When using egg white, shake once without ice before adding ice and shaking again.
Fine-strain into a glass and garnish with lemon peel.
Fresh lemon balances the caramel and vanilla, while a trace of smoke remains through the finish.
What Food Goes with Johnnie Walker Black Label?
Black Label’s combination of fruit, sweetness and smoke makes it suitable for a wide range of food.
Steak
Grilled beef reflects the whisky’s smoke and oak.
Vanilla, caramel and dark fruit provide contrast with the charred meat.
Barbecued Meat
Brisket, ribs and pulled pork work with smoky whisky, sweet sauce and warm spice.
Roast Beef
Roast beef and gravy connect with malt, oak and spice.
Burgers
Beef, melted cheese and caramelised onions reflect the whisky’s caramelised and smoky character.
Smoked Salmon
The whisky’s restrained smoke complements the fish, while fruit and vanilla provide contrast.
Fried Chicken
The crisp coating and salt work well with a highball.
Bubbles and citrus refresh the palate between bites.
Mature Cheddar
Strong cheddar provides savoury depth without overwhelming the whisky.
Blue Cheese
Dark fruit and caramel help soften the salt and intensity of blue cheese.
Roasted Nuts
Almonds, pecans and walnuts work with oak, malt and spice.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate reinforces the whisky’s deeper flavour while adding bitterness.
Blackberry or Plum Desserts
Fruit tarts and crumbles connect directly with the nose and palate.
Avoid desserts that are excessively sweet, as they may make the whisky appear drier.
Is Icons 2.0 Collectable?
Yes. The bottle has several features that may appeal to Johnnie Walker collectors:
- Second Icons design
- Connection with the 200th-anniversary programme
- Dramatic limited bottle artwork
- Established 12-year-old Black Label whisky
- Discontinued presentation
- A matching first Icons release
- An unboxed display format
- Clear visual difference from standard Black Label
It may be of particular interest to collectors building sets around:
- Johnnie Walker Black Label
- Bicentenary bottles
- Icons designs
- Packaging-led limited editions
- The Striding Man
- Different versions of the square bottle
Its future financial value cannot be guaranteed.
The bottle is best purchased because of its appearance, history or place within a wider collection rather than solely as an investment.
Should the Bottle Be Opened?
The choice depends on the buyer’s priorities.
Reasons to Keep It Sealed
- It is a limited design
- Standard Black Label remains widely available
- The bottle displays well
- Sealed condition can matter to collectors
- It can be paired with the first Icons edition
- It commemorates an important Johnnie Walker anniversary
Reasons to Open It
- The whisky was produced to be enjoyed
- Black Label is versatile and approachable
- It can be shared during an anniversary celebration
- The bottle may have personal significance
- It works neat, over ice and in cocktails
Customers planning to preserve Icons 2.0 can purchase standard Johnnie Walker Black Label separately for drinking.
Why Does the Unboxed Presentation Matter?
The current HTFW product is supplied unboxed.
For this particular release, the bottle is the central collectable object.
Customers should still consider the absence of an outer carton when comparing it with other listings.
An unboxed bottle can remain highly attractive when displayed, but collectors should protect:
- The front and rear labels
- Printed bottle artwork
- Closure
- Glass corners
- Fill level
- Surface finish
Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure can fade decorative graphics.
How Should Icons 2.0 Be Stored?
Store whisky bottles upright in a cool and dry location.
Avoid:
- Direct sunlight
- Radiators
- Conservatories
- Damp garages
- Significant temperature changes
- Repeated vibration
- Horizontal storage
Whisky does not continue maturing in the bottle.
Careful storage preserves:
- Bottle condition
- Label colour
- Decorative artwork
- Closure integrity
- Fill level
- The quality of the whisky
A glass-fronted cabinet away from windows can provide a suitable display environment.
Icons 2.0 vs Standard Black Label
Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 12 years old
- 40% ABV
- 70cl
- Limited bottle design
- Bicentenary connection
- Unboxed
- Greater collectable appeal
- More visually distinctive
Standard Black Label
- 12 years old
- 40% ABV
- Traditional black-and-gold presentation
- Permanent core release
- Easier to replace
- More economical for everyday drinking
- Familiar global design
The liquid style is the same.
Choose Icons 2.0 for display, collectability or gifting.
Choose standard Black Label when everyday drinking value is the priority.
Icons 2.0 vs the First Icons Black Label
Icons 2.0
- Second Icons design
- Dramatic and vibrant appearance
- 12-year-old Black Label
- 40% ABV
- 70cl
- Current HTFW bottle unboxed
Original Icons Black Label
- First Icons presentation
- Separate fashion-inspired design
- 12-year-old Black Label
- 40% ABV
- 70cl
- Current HTFW bottle unboxed
Neither edition introduces a clearly different whisky.
Collectors may choose one according to visual preference or buy both as a matched pair.
Icons 2.0 vs Icons Gold Label
The Johnnie Walker Icons Gold Label 200th Anniversary Edition applies the anniversary theme to Gold Label Reserve.
Icons 2.0 Black Label
- 12-year age statement
- Dark plum and blackberry
- Vanilla and caramel
- Oak and spice
- Signature smoky finish
- More structured profile
Icons Gold Label
- Gold Label Reserve whisky
- Honeyed sweetness
- Creamy vanilla
- Soft fruit
- Restrained smoke
- More celebratory and dessert-led style
Black Label is darker and smokier.
Gold Label Reserve is softer, sweeter and more honeyed.
Icons 2.0 vs Johnnie Walker Double Black
Johnnie Walker Double Black is a liquid-led variation rather than a design-only release.
Icons 2.0
- Classic 12-year-old Black Label
- 40% ABV
- Dark fruit and vanilla
- Balanced smoke
- Limited artwork
- Collectable presentation
Double Black
- No declared age statement
- 40% ABV
- Greater peated-whisky influence
- Deeply charred casks
- Stronger smoke
- Darker oak
- Core-range flavour variation
Choose Icons 2.0 for the design and 12-year age statement.
Choose Double Black when a more powerful smoky flavour is the priority.
Icons 2.0 vs Black Label Triple Cask
Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask offers a noticeably different recipe and cask profile.
Icons 2.0
- 12 years old
- 70cl
- Classic Black Label whisky
- Plum, blackberry and vanilla
- Signature smoke
- Anniversary packaging
Triple Cask
- No declared age statement
- One-litre bottle
- Bourbon, Scotch-whisky and Caribbean rum casks
- Orchard fruit
- Brown sugar and toffee
- Ginger
- Gentler smoke
- Original travel-retail release
Choose Icons 2.0 for collectability.
Choose Triple Cask for a sweeter and more cask-led drinking experience.
Icons 2.0 vs Black Label Speyside Origin
Johnnie Walker Black Label Speyside Origin 12 Year Old focuses on one Scotch whisky region.
Icons 2.0
- Blended malt and grain whisky
- Whiskies from across Scotland
- 12 years old
- 40% ABV
- Dark fruit and smoke
- Limited bottle design
Speyside Origin
- Blended malt Scotch
- Made without grain whisky
- Speyside-focused recipes
- 12 years old
- 42% ABV
- Orchard fruit and vanilla
- One-litre travel-retail format
Icons 2.0 presents the broad, balanced Black Label style.
Speyside Origin provides a fruitier, malt-only interpretation with less emphasis on smoke.
Icons 2.0 vs the Yankees 2017 Edition
Johnnie Walker Black Label New York Yankees 2017 Edition is another collectable version of the classic blend.
Icons 2.0
- Bicentenary-related design
- 70cl
- 40% ABV
- Unboxed
- Johnnie Walker heritage focus
- Contemporary graphic presentation
Yankees 2017 Edition
- Baseball partnership
- 75cl
- 40% ABV
- Original box
- Pinstripe styling
- Sports-memorabilia appeal
Both contain 12-year-old Black Label.
Icons 2.0 is more relevant to Johnnie Walker anniversary collectors, while the Yankees release has strong crossover appeal among baseball supporters.
Is Icons 2.0 a Good Gift?
Yes. It is suitable for:
- Johnnie Walker enthusiasts
- Whisky collectors
- Milestone birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Retirement gifts
- Housewarmings
- Fathers’ Day
- Christmas
- Graphic-design enthusiasts
- Buyers building an Icons collection
The bottle itself provides the main presentation because the current HTFW release is unboxed.
Its recognised whisky and distinctive appearance make it suitable even when the recipient is not a specialist collector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label?
It is a limited-edition bottle design containing Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old blended Scotch whisky.
Why is it called Icons 2.0?
It is a second graphic interpretation of the Johnnie Walker Icons limited-edition design concept.
Is it connected with Johnnie Walker’s 200th anniversary?
Yes. It forms part of the design programme associated with the brand’s bicentenary.
Is Icons 2.0 the same as the first Icons edition?
The whisky specifications are the same, but the bottle artwork is different.
What size is the bottle?
It contains 70cl.
What is the alcohol strength?
It is bottled at 40% ABV.
How old is the whisky?
Every whisky within the blend has matured for at least 12 years.
Is the bottling year confirmed?
The current HTFW Icons 2.0 listing does not provide a specific bottling year.
How many distilleries contribute to Black Label?
Johnnie Walker states that malt and grain whiskies drawn from more than 29 distilleries are used to create the blend.
Is it a different recipe from standard Black Label?
No different recipe has been announced.
Is it cask finished?
No special secondary finish is identified for Icons 2.0.
Does it come in a box?
The current HTFW bottle is listed as unboxed.
What closure does it use?
It has a screw cap.
What does it taste like?
Expect plum, blackberry, vanilla, caramel, malt, oak, spice and gentle smoke.
Is it sweet?
It has dark-fruit, vanilla and caramel sweetness balanced by oak and peat smoke.
Is it smoky?
Yes, although the smoke is controlled rather than heavily peated.
Is it suitable for whisky beginners?
Yes. Black Label is a widely accessible introduction to fruit-led Scotch with a noticeable smoky element.
Can it be drunk neat?
Yes. Neat serving shows the clearest balance of fruit, vanilla and smoke.
Is it good over ice?
Yes. One large ice cube brings caramel and vanilla forward.
Which mixers work best?
Soda water, ginger ale, lemonade and peach iced tea all work well.
Can it be used in cocktails?
Yes. It works in a highball, Rob Roy, Old Fashioned or Whisky Sour.
Is Icons 2.0 collectable?
Yes. Its limited design, bicentenary connection and relationship with the first Icons bottle support its collectable appeal.
Is it a good investment?
Future value cannot be guaranteed. It should be bought primarily for its design, history and whisky.
Should it be opened?
That is a personal choice. Collectors may keep it sealed, while drinkers can enjoy the classic Black Label whisky inside.
How should it be stored?
Keep it upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and major temperature changes.
Will the whisky continue ageing?
No. Whisky stops maturing when it is removed from its cask.
Why Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Stands Out
Icons 2.0 stands out by giving a familiar whisky a separate visual identity.
The liquid is dependable and well established.
Its 12-year-old blend provides:
- Dark fruit
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Oak
- Spice
- Controlled smoke
The bottle then presents those flavours through a more dramatic and contemporary design.
This makes Icons 2.0 particularly effective for customers who want a collectable bottle without taking a risk on an unfamiliar whisky.
It also offers a clear companion to the first Icons edition.
Displayed together, the two bottles demonstrate how Johnnie Walker’s most recognisable design elements can be adapted without losing the underlying identity of Black Label.
Buy Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label
Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label 200th Anniversary Edition contains the classic 12-year-old blended Scotch inside a dramatic limited-edition bottle.
Made with malt and grain whiskies drawn from across Scotland, Black Label delivers dark plum and blackberry alongside creamy vanilla, caramel, oak and gentle spice.
A long smoky finish preserves the recognised Johnnie Walker house style.
Bottled at 40% ABV in a 70cl format, it can be enjoyed neat, over ice or with soda, ginger ale, lemonade or peach iced tea.
Alternatively, retain it unopened and display it alongside the first Icons Black Label 200th Anniversary Edition.
Shop Johnnie Walker Icons 2.0 Black Label, compare it with standard Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 Year Old, or explore the Icons Gold Label 200th Anniversary Edition.
Browse the complete Johnnie Walker collection, discover more blended Scotch whisky, or explore the wider Scotch whisky range at Hard To Find Whisky.
