Diageo adds to Johnnie Walker GTR range

Diageo has announced the release of Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish, a limited edition that will only be available in selected travel retail markets.

Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish has been drawn from over 200 whisky samples, aged in first-fill bourbon casks and finished for up to six months in former rye casks. The release features whiskies from just five distilleries including Dufftown and the now closed Port Dundas.

The whisky is inspired by the time master blender Jim Beveridge spent blending bourbons and ryes in Kentucky in the 1990s. He says: “Blended from just a handful of single malts and carefully chosen grain whiskies matured in first fill bourbon casks and finished in casks that formerly held rye whisky - Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask and Rye Finish is a rich, sweet, intensely honeyed and smooth Scotch Whisky, with the warming vanilla spiciness usually associated with the iconic Johnnie Walker Black Label. To my mind, it's the best of Scotch but with an exciting twist inspired by the best of traditional American whiskey flavours.”

Dayalan Nayager, managing director, Diageo Global Travel says: “The launch of Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish is a welcome addition to the Scotch Whisky category in travel retail, made possible by the hundreds of ongoing flavour experiments and skill of the blending team at Johnnie Walker. This is an incredibly exciting time for Scotch Whisky and we believe the new blend will act as a signpost for those shoppers who want to explore the category.”

“Travellers are looking for brands that have discovery, authenticity, craftsmanship and real human stories behind them. Johnnie Walker has a truly unique story to tell and with the latest innovation in the Blenders’ Batch series, we are excited to offer our customers and consumers a glimpse into the constantly shifting world of flavour exploration from the biggest spirits brand in the channel.”

The limited edition Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish is the second release from the Blenders’ Batch series. It is available now in selected travel retail outlets globally, retailing at US$52.50/£32.00 RRSP for a 1L bottle.

13 May 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor