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Johnnie Walker adds to Ghost and Rare series
By Alice BrookerDiageo has unveiled Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Pittyvaich, the fourth release in the limited edition series.
The bottling joins the Ghost and Rare collection, launched in 2017 to spotlight whiskies from ‘ghost’ distilleries that have long since closed.
Past blends have highlighted liquids from Glenury Royal, Port Ellen and the recently reopened Brora facility.
Master blender Jim Beveridge and his team hand-selected the whiskies for the new expression.
A whisky from Pittyvaich distillery sits at the heart of the blend. The Speyside site opened in 1974 and closed in 1993, after 18 years of production.
“We have waited patiently for the perfect moment to showcase this rare gem of the whisky world,” Beveridge said.
“Pittyvaich may only have thrived for a short period, but the whisky laid down by this distillery is something unmistakable.”
Other components in the blend come from Port Dundas and Carsebridge, combined with rare whiskies from Speyside distilleries Mannochmore, Auchroisk, Cragganmore and Strathmill, as well as Royal Lochnagar.
Beveridge added: “[Pittyvaich’s] distinct autumnal character has always intrigued us and fired our imagination to create something really special that would pay tribute to the whisky makers of this Speyside distillery.”
On the nose, the expression presents notes of dark fruit and berries, which give way to butterscotch and cinnamon.
On the palate, Pittyvaich boasts sweet fruit flavours of fresh apple, balanced with hints of honeycomb and soft wood from the ghost whiskies of Port Dundas and Carsebridge.
The whisky is bottled at 43.8% ABV, and retails for RRP £275 (US$374) per 700ml bottle.
Available from 1 November, each bottle sold is individually numbered.