Next Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare to Feature Port Ellen
Last winter, Diageo announced Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare, a series of limited edition bottlings crafted using whiskies from closed “ghost” distilleries and other rare malt and grain whiskies. The first edition, launched alongside the announcement, featured the “ghost” distillery of Brora at its core. Based on labels submitted to the TTB, we now know that the second release in the Ghost and Rare series will prominently feature Port Ellen. Like Brora, Port Ellen was closed in 1983, but has been revived by Diageo and is expected to reopen in 2020.
The second Ghost and Rare release will be a blend of eight Scotch whiskies, including three “ghost” whiskies from the silent distilleries of Caledonian, Carsebridge, and Port Ellen, and five whiskies from the existing distilleries of Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol, and Oban. Ghost and Rare: Port Ellen is described as having notes of “vanilla, waxy citrus, rich malt and tropical fruit, echos of aged oak and a lingering finish of Port Ellen smoke.”
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare: Port Ellen will be bottled at 43.8% ABV, lower than Ghost and Rare: Brora, which was bottled at 46% ABV. Hopefully that’s an indicator of older, low proof stock going into the blend, and isn’t a sign of it being watered down. Expect an official announcement with more information, including pricing, release date, and availability, prior to launch.
Source: ttbonline.gov.