Johnnie Walker have announced a forthcoming Australian launch for the premium Blue Label Ghost and Rare, the first in a brand-new series of special releases from the whisky giants. The special release series will highlight the use of rare whiskies from “ghost” distilleries that have long since closed, blended with other very rare malt and grain Scotch whiskies.
Essentially prying open and analysing the flavour profile of the high-end Blue Label, each release of the series will focus on one remarkably rare whisky from a distillery that shapes the distinctive flavours whisky enthusiasts have come to expect from Blue Label. In the case of this first release, the distillery in question is Brora, which closed doors in 1983 and has since seen its whisky become some of the most highly-prized Scotch in the world.
Crafted by Master Blender Jim Beveridge, the release also includes whiskies from the “silent distilleries” of Cambus and Pittyavaich, contributing to a profile described as having a “deliciously light peatiness and sophisticated subtle sweetness” and a palate of “smooth Scotch, with the fruity sweetness of pineapple, rich notes of hazelnut and dark chocolate with a subtle smoky finish”. The additional five whiskies used in this forthcoming release are rare expressions of malt and grains from the existing distilleries of Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge.
“Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the rarest whiskies ever to come out of Scotland”, said Beveridge. “These whiskies and the distilleries they’re from have a unique, inimitable character and they lend something very special to remarkable whiskies like Johnnie Walker Blue Label. I wanted to see what could happen if we explored particular aspects of that character in more depth”.
750ml bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare (46% ABV) will be stocked at Dan Murphy’s and selected independent liquor stores across Australia from 5th March for an RRP of $480.
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