Johnnie Walker has revealed a new, limited edition release of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal.
This expression is the third in a series of special releases, encouraging consumers to ‘Discover Rarity’ via blends featuring irreplaceable “ghost whiskies”, alongside liquid from rare distilleries across Scotland.
Curated by the Johnnie Walker master blender, at the heart of the whisky lies the Highland single malt Glenury Royal, from the “ghost” distillery of the same name, which shut its doors in 1985.
Early indications from Europe are demonstrating that Ghost and Rare liquids like the Glenury Royal are being successful in recruiting single malt buyers, by reinforcing and highlighting the rarest whiskies used to craft Johnnie Walker Blue Label and its limited releases.
To curate the new expression, Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge and his team also hand-selected two exceptionally rare whiskies from the “ghost” distilleries of Cambus and Pittyvaich, balancing their creamy toffee and butterscotch notes with the orchard fruits, sweet apple and delicate apricot notes of Glenury Royal.
To create a final and indulgent layer to this limited edition liquid, Beveridge blended five rare whiskies from Glen Elgin, Inchgower, Glenlossie, Cameronbridge and Glenkinchie.
“Shining a light on this hidden treasure of the whisky world is something we’ve wanted to do for some time,” said Beveridge. “This indulgent new limited edition provides us with a wonderful opportunity to explore the remarkable layers of rich fruit found in every drop of Johnnie Walker Blue Label.”
Founded in 1825 by Captain Robert Barclay, the Glenury Royal distillery was destroyed by a devastating fire only to be rebuilt and again flourish, to become one of only three Scottish distilleries to enjoy a royal title.
Beveridge added: “We have waited patiently for that moment to release this exceptionally rare whisky, carefully watching over our maturing casks until the time was right to explore its uniquely indulgent character.”
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal follows the release of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Brora in recent years.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal is bottled at an ABV of 43.8% and is available now from leading liquor retailers at a RRP of $500 for a 750ml bottle. Each bottle in this special release is individually numbered.
