We just reviewed the excellent new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet, a limited-edition version of the blended scotch brand’s top tier expression. Hot on the heels of that release comes news of a 52-year-old expression, one of the oldest whiskies to date from this popular and historic whisky brand.
According to IWSR data, Johnnie Walker is the number one selling scotch whisky brand in the world, with sales mostly based around its lower tier expressions like Black Label and Red Label. The brand has been around in one form or another since 1820, when it was founded by the titular John Walker who purchased malt and grain whiskies to blend and sell to customers. Today the brand is owned by drinks giant Diageo, which has 30 malt and grain distilleries operating under its umbrella in Scotland to get whisky from, in addition to trading with other companies.
For this new 52-year-old blend, just eight whiskies were selected—six single malts and two single grain whiskies aged for a minimum of 52 years, including some from shuttered ghost distilleries. “Alongside my small team of whisky experts, we hand-selected some of our oldest and most precious casks of Highland single malt and Lowland single grain whiskies for my first ultra-rare release as master blender,” said Johnnie Walker master blender Emma Walker (no relation) in a statement. “With this deceptively simple cask combination, our intention was to create a new, masterful blend in homage to our founders’ achievements. The rare aromas, flavors, and character in this blend, combined with their shared age and small number, make this super-limited edition a testament to the art of whisky blending.”
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According to the brand, the single grain whiskies came from two ghost distilleries: Cambus, which closed in 1993 and is now a cooperage site; and Carsebridge, which closed in 1983. These whiskies contributed notes of vanilla, butterscotch, spice, and hints of tea leaves and menthol. The single malts came from both closed and working distilleries. The dormant distilleries are Glenury Royal, Glenlochy, Glen Albyn, and Brora (which has been reopened as a totally new distillery), imbuing the whisky with notes of fruit, cacao, cured meat, and smoke. The distilleries still in operation are Blair Athol, providing notes of raisins, currants, and orange peel, and Dalwhinnie which adds a “subtle salinity” to the palate.
Johnnie Walker Aged 52 Years is being released in a run of just 200 bottles, and each will be priced at £23,500 (about $25,000). This isn’t likely going to be something you will find in your local liquor store, but you can purchase a bottle by contacting Diageo private client teams or trying luxury retail outlets. The rest of the lineup is available, however, from ReserveBar—including a bottle of the 48-year-old for about $50,000.
