Johnnie Walker Blue Ghost & Rare Pittyvaich Blended Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Volume: 750ml          ABV: 43%          Age: No Age Statement          Country: Scotland

The brand Johnnie Walker was first created in 1820 by John Walker, a green grocer from Kilmarnock in Scotland. The Excise Act was introduced in 1823 relaxing strict laws on distillation and reduced the heavy taxes on distillation and the sale of whisky. John Walker sold blended malt and grain whiskies from his grocery store and as he did not have a brand of his own started to use his own name on the labels selling the blended malt as ‘Walker’s Kilmarnock Whisky.  In 1860 the brand’s signature logo was introduced by Alexander Walker, a square bottle. This meant more bottles could fit into the same space and the bottles were less likely to break. The label was also introduced where it was applied at an angle of 24 degrees upwards left to right and allowed text to be made larger and more visible.

This limited release of Johnnie Walker Blue label is a fourth release whisky following on from the Ghost & Rare: Brora, Port Ellen and Glenury Royal. Pittyvaich Distillery is a closed or ‘ghost’ distillery which is rarely seen in retail, and has fallen victim to the ups and downs in the whisky marketplace. Only seen annually in the Diageo special release bottling’s this closed distillery’s whisky is now getting harder to find. The distillery was built in 1975 and closed in 1993 the distillery had a short life maturing spirit mainly in ex-Sherry barrels used in Bell’s blended whisky. This ‘ghost’ or closed distillery has now been torn down and the stock are dwindling quickly, might be worth tucking a few bottles away in case they vanish forever.

This premium blend is made using whisky from three ghost distilleries: Pittyvaich, Port Dundas (grain) and Carsebridge (grain), as well as single malts from Mannochmore, Auchroisk, Cragganmore, Strathmill and Royal Lochnagar. With a bottling strength of 43% abv and a very limited release for worldwide distribution in this limited edition packaging.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Ripe freshly cut apples, violet crumble bars, delicate oak and creamy malty notes.

Palate: Dark fruits of plum, fig and dates, autumn wild berries and creamy toffee.

Finish: Sticky date pudding and orchard fruits with some nutmeg and cinnamon spice.