Even as the whisky world bemoans the doomed distilleries of Scotland that shut down in the ’80s, Johnnie Walker Blue Label has resurrected the taste of a bygone era in its limited-edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen bottle, at the heart of which lies the unique flavours of the Islay single malt produced at Port Ellen, a ‘ghost’ distillery that shut its doors in 1983 – one of the rarest and most highly sought-after single malts in the world (according to the RW101 Database Statistics in May 2018).

Nestled on the edge of Kilnaughton Bay, watched over by the four-sided Carraig Fhada lighthouse and the occasional ethereal glow of the Northern Lights, the Port Ellen distillery is now silent but the memory of the ships setting sail with their precious cargo of unique single malt whisky is one that still endures.

To recapture this spirit, Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge has hand-selected seven of the rarest expressions of individual whiskies, none less than 20 years old, from the unparalleled Johnnie Walker Blue Label reserves and has intricately crafted them to balance the unique peaty character of Port Ellen single malt.

Beveridge explains the blending process, saying: “The incredibly rare ‘ghost’ whiskies from Caledonian and Carsebridge add layers of creamy, vanilla sweetness, while rare expressions of malts from Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol and Oban deliver rolling waves of waxy citrus, rich malt and tropical fruit flavours – all perfectly balanced by the distinctive maritime smokiness of Port Ellen that lingers in the long and warming finish.”

A single sip of this unique creation is a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of Scotch whisky. Let’s raise a toast to that!

Info: Johnnie Walker