Diageo Reserve unveils latest Johnnie Walker

Diageo Reserve has announced the launch of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare.

The release is the first in a series of special releases crafted using whiskies from "ghost" distilleries that have long since closed, together with other malt and grain scotch. Each edition will be crafted with one whisky at its heart, the first being Brora.

Produced by Johnnie Walker master distiller, Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare includes three "ghost" whiskies from the silent distilleries of Cambus, Pittyvaich and the highland single malt, Brora.

The additional five whiskies are expressions of malt and grains from the existing distilleries of Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge.

Commenting on the release, Jim Beveridge says: “Over the years of crafting fine Scotch whiskies, I've had the remarkable privilege of working with some of the rarest spirits ever to come out of Scotland. I'm lucky that we have stocks from more than 30 distilleries from every region of Scotland from which to choose the perfect casks to craft each blend. It gives us a richness of character, flavour and age that no other scotch can match.

“Whiskies from these ghost distilleries are becoming increasingly rare. From our library of irreplaceable casks that we keep exclusively for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, I've chosen a few uniquely full-bodied expressions of these precious malts and grains to let people explore, in a new way, the extraordinary richness found in our pinnacle whisky.”

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare is bottled at an ABV of 46%. Each bottle is individually numbered and is available now at a RRP of £220 for 70cl.

2 December 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor