For many whisky drinkers, the journey begins with Black Label and peaks with Blue. But beyond those familiar colors lies something far more elusive.
The Ghost & Rare series blends the last stocks of whisky from distilleries that no longer exist, Scotland’s so-called “ghost” distilleries, with rare single malts and grains drawn from deep inside the brand’s private reserves. The resulting series of limited editions offers a taste of lost history.
Every bottle tells a different story. So, here is a full breakdown of every Ghost & Rare release, including tasting notes, distillery details, market pricing, and collectability. Whether for sipping or saving, this is where Johnnie Walker becomes something altogether more historic.
What Is Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare?
Ghost & Rare is Johnnie Walker’s most exclusive series of blended scotch whisky. Each edition is built around a “ghost distillery”, a term used for sites that have been closed and silent for decades. These distilleries no longer produce spirit, but limited stocks remain in aging warehouses. Once those casks are gone, they’re gone for good.
The Ghost & Rare concept began in 2017 under Master Blender Dr. Jim Beveridge. His goal was to highlight the unique character of these lost whiskies by placing one at the heart of each blend. Supporting malts and grains, drawn from Johnnie Walker’s extensive reserves, are chosen to enhance the ghost distillery’s personality.
Every release combines eight whiskies in the blend: typically three from ghost distilleries, and five from rare or underused working distilleries. The bottlings are limited and individually numbered, often released just once per market.
These whiskies are crafted to express a sense of place and time. Brora brings soft Highland peat. Port Ellen evokes Islay’s fading maritime smoke. Pittyvaich delivers orchard fruit from Speyside. Each is distinct, shaped by its region and history.
Ghost & Rare offers a chance to experience liquid from distilleries that no longer exist, woven into blends that are both collectible and highly drinkable. It’s where the story of scotch meets the art of modern blending.
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Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Brora (2017)
The first Ghost & Rare release set the tone for the series. Launched in 2017, it was built around Brora, the legendary Highland distillery that closed in 1983 and remained silent for nearly four decades. At the time of release, Brora was a ghost in every sense. It reopened in 2021, but stocks from its original era remain limited.
Brora’s signature smokiness comes through in soft, elegant waves. It’s not a heavy Islay-style peat, but a gentler kind. Waxy, earthy, and faintly floral. Layers of orchard fruit, dried fig, and chocolate unfold around it. The result is complex but composed.
The supporting whiskies include malts from Clynelish, Glenlossie, Glenkinchie, and Royal Lochnagar, plus grain whisky from Cambus and Cameronbridge. Pittyvaich, another closed distillery, rounds out the ghost trio. Each component adds structure: fruit, spice, sweetness, or weight.
Retail pricing has remained relatively stable. Bottles can still be found for around $300 to $400 from specialty U.S. retailers, but prices do increase to around $1,200 depending on location. In the UK, expect to pay between £800 and £2,000. Brora’s legendary status, combined with the inaugural nature of this release, makes it one of the most collectible in the series.
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Ellen (2018)
The second Ghost & Rare release arrived in 2018 and focused on Port Ellen, one of Islay’s most revered closed distilleries. Known for its elegant maritime smoke and subtle complexity, Port Ellen shut down in 1983 and remained silent until Diageo began restoring it. The distillery reopened in 2023, but whiskies from the original era remain among the most collectible in scotch.
I was lucky enough to try this whisky myself a few years ago. I found sea air and soft smoke on the nose, but refined, not aggressive. There’s a quiet salinity that sits behind the sweeter notes of vanilla cream and toasted grain. On the palate, the smoke is gentle and balanced by bright citrus, and a mineral edge.
Ghost grain whiskies from Carsebridge and Caledonian add depth and silkiness. Rare single malts from Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol, and Oban support the blend’s richness and structure.
Originally priced at £275 (~$370), it now sells for $900 to $1,500 in the U.S., depending on region and condition. In the UK, it retails for around £900-£1,400. For collectors, the Port Ellen release holds special weight. It was bottled before the distillery’s rebirth and represents some of the last stock from its original lifetime.
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Glenury Royal (2019)
The third Ghost & Rare release spotlighted a distillery few outside serious whisky circles had heard of. Glenury Royal, founded in 1825 and closed in 1985, was one of only three scotch distilleries ever granted royal status. Its spirit was known for a fruit-driven style with a touch of Highland weight.
My tasting of this whisky was my first (and only) experience of Glenury Royal, so I didn’t really know what to expect. I found baked apple, dried apricot, and warm cereal notes, layered over a toffee and oak backbone. There’s a softness to the mouthfeel that comes from its age and from the grain whisky components.
Supporting whiskies include rare malts from Glen Elgin, Inchgower, Glenlossie, Glenkinchie, and grain from Cameronbridge. Together, they build a smooth, autumnal character.
It launched in late 2019 at the standard ~$370 price point. At retail in the U.S., it trades for around $600 to $1,000, depending on condition and location. It is far more accessible in the UK at £250-£300.
Glenury Royal may lack the name recognition of Brora or Port Ellen, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s a sleeper pick in the series.
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Pittyvaich (2021)
After a year’s pause in 2020, the Ghost & Rare series returned in 2021 with a release centered on Pittyvaich, a short-lived Speyside distillery that operated from 1974 to 1993. Rarely bottled as a single malt in its lifetime, Pittyvaich gained cult interest after its closure for its delicate orchard-fruit character.
Expect notes of crisp apple, poached pear, and heather honey, wrapped in gentle baking spice and oak. There are layers of mellow orchard fruits and wood, grounded by sweet grain whisky.
Supporting distilleries include Port Dundas and Carsebridge (both ghost grain), along with malts from Mannochmore, Auchroisk, Cragganmore, Strathmill, and Royal Lochnagar.
At launch, the bottle retailed for around $370. Today, it sells for $350 to $800, depending on the market in the U.S. In the UK, it averages £270-£300 at retail. It hasn’t spiked like Brora or Port Ellen, but it’s held its value steadily.
For collectors, it offers a quiet, fruit-driven profile from a distillery most had never tasted. For drinkers, it is one of the most approachable releases in the series.
Johnnie Walker Ghost & Rare Port Dundas (2022)
The fifth Ghost & Rare release, launched in 2022, turned the spotlight on Port Dundas, a historic grain distillery in Glasgow that closed in 2010. While less romanticized than ghost malt distilleries, Port Dundas had operated since 1811 and was once one of the largest grain whisky producers in Scotland.
This blend is built around old, well-aged grain whisky, offering a creamy, refined texture. Notes of vanilla, toasted oak, caramel, and baking spice unfold gradually. A gentle warmth carries through the finish.
Port Dundas is supported by grain from Cambus and a subtle malt from Brora—its second appearance in the series. Other rare distilleries include Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Dailuaine, Auchroisk, and Cameronbridge. The blend feels rich, balanced, and modern, with just a wisp of Brora’s signature smoke.
It launched at the standard ~$370 and is still relatively accessible. Prices on the U.S. secondary market sit between $350 and $600. In the UK, you can find a bottle for between £200 and £350. A limited NFT-linked “Master Set” was also released through BlockBar, aimed at collectors.
This edition proved that a grain whisky could lead with just as much character as a malt. It’s a quieter kind of prestige but no less deserving of its place in the series.
Collectibility and Investment
Ghost & Rare was never marketed as an “investment series,” but the market response tells its own story. These bottles are limited, individually numbered, and built around whiskies that can’t be replaced. For collectors, that’s the perfect storm.
I’ve tracked these releases since the Brora debut in 2017. Prices started around $300 to $350. Today, early editions like Brora and Port Ellen regularly trade for over $1,000, with sealed boxes in top condition commanding even more. Even the less-hyped bottles have held or increased in value on the secondary market.
But the appeal isn’t just financial. The series gives collectors access to closed distilleries without the five-figure price tag attached to official single malts. For those interested in drinking rare scotch, Ghost & Rare is often the only realistic entry point.
Limited availability drives long-term demand. Many buyers keep one bottle to drink and one to save, a strategy that pays off if you move early.
Of course, not every release performs the same. Brora and Port Ellen remain the most sought-after. Pittyvaich and Port Dundas may take longer to rise, but their quality and scarcity still make them strong candidates.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost & Rare Series: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ghost distillery?
A ghost distillery is one that has been closed or “mothballed,” meaning it no longer produces spirit. These sites may still have aging stock in warehouses, but once those casks are gone, that whisky is lost forever. Brora, Port Ellen, Pittyvaich, and Glenury Royal are all examples. Some, like Brora and Port Ellen, have since reopened, but their original-era whiskies remain extremely limited.
How many Ghost & Rare releases are there?
As of now, there are five official releases:
Brora (2017)
Port Ellen (2018)
Glenury Royal (2019)
Pittyvaich (2021)
Port Dundas (2022)
Each one highlights a different ghost distillery and is blended only once.
Which distilleries are featured in each bottle?
Each blend includes three ghost whiskies and five rare active distilleries. The featured ghost is the focal point. Supporting distilleries are chosen to complement that character. Full breakdowns are listed in the sections above.
Are they good investments?
They can be, for the right buyer. Early releases have appreciated significantly. Later bottles are holding steady, with strong collector interest and limited availability helping drive demand.
How much of the ghost whisky is actually in the blend?
Johnnie Walker doesn’t disclose exact ratios. But in each case, the featured ghost distillery clearly shapes the flavor. The supporting whiskies enhance, but never overshadow.
Why Ghost & Rare Matters More Than Ever
Ghost & Rare stands apart in the Johnnie Walker portfolio. Each release is focused, thoughtfully blended, and rooted in genuine scarcity. These whiskies contain spirit from distilleries that no longer produce, shaped by time and cask rather than trend.
The appeal runs deep. For collectors, the investment case is strong. For drinkers, the experience is layered, complex, and often surprising. Every bottle adds something different to the series.
In a market saturated with storytelling, Ghost & Rare delivers substance. Each edition reflects careful selection, clear intent, and a connection to Scotland’s disappearing distilling past.
