Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen second entry in Johnnie Walker’s Ghost & Rare series, focusing on the distillery character and spirit from closed Port Ellen on Islay. Not well known during its lifetime, since its closure in 1983, Port Ellen has risen in stature to become one of the world’s most sought-after single malts. This Johnnie Walker Blue Label release brings together Port Ellen with grain whiskies from closed Carsebridge and Caledonian distilleries, as well as rare malts from Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol and Oban. The result is definitely tinged with the taste of Port Ellen – smoky lemons and chamois leather – with soft spice and sweet fruit.

TASTING NOTES

• NOSE

  Fruity with fragrant smokiness – delicate and refined rather than a peat monster. Fresh and baked apples are joined by pears and waxed jackets. Vanilla cream notes develop and then tend to custard, poured over wax-polished oak.

• PALATE

  Vanilla sponge cake and ashy smoke. The apples are back and sat on a bed of damp leaves. Sweet floral notes float above – hints of lavender and Parma violet – and oaky spice sits underneath.

• FINISH

  Long and ashy, with fruity notes slowly fading.