Finally Johnny Walker has released its first 50-year-old Scotch whisky. Called The John Walker Masters’ Edition, the expression has been blended from six whiskies, each matured for a minimum of 50 years.
The six whiskies have been selected from distilleries that were operational during John Walker & Sons founder, John Walker’s lifetime (1805-57), five of which are now silent.
They include malts from the now closed Glen Albyn and Glenury Royal distilleries – which fell silent in 1983 and 1985 – as well as Blair Athol which continues to operate in the Highlands.
The John Walker Masters Edition
Also featured are grain whiskies from Caledonian, Cambus and Port Dundas distilleries, all of which also closed in 1988, 1993 and 2011 respectively.
The John Walker Masters’ Edition has been ‘triple matured’ and finished in small batches in a bespoke marrying cask made of 100 year oak staves, its layers of flavour are revealed slowly on the palate, where luscious blackcurrants and citrus give way to rich, creamy dark chocolate and a long, gentle and warming finish with cooling menthol and a subtle smokiness.
With a natural cask strength ABV of 43.3%, this legacy whisky comes in individually numbered, double-cased black Baccarat crystal decanters and housed in a cabinet made by the same company that makes custom-made furniture for Queen Elizabeth II.
Just 100 decanters have been created, which will be available in limited selected markets, priced at $25,000. One bottle will be auctioned at Bonhams, Hong Kong in 2019.
The John Walker Masters Edition
