TL;DR
Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish is a limited-edition release from 2017, appealing to fans of bourbon and rye more than traditional scotch enthusiasts. While it hasn’t won awards and is lightly reviewed, it offers an unconventional, bold experience with its bourbon and rye influences. At around $68 (£55), it’s a fun, experimental whisky for those seeking something different. Reviews are mixed, with some appreciating its uniqueness and others finding it lacking in strength at 40% ABV. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails—its versatility is a key feature.
How Good Is Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish?
Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish is an expression that, perhaps, appeals best to Johnnie Walker enthusiasts, and those who like bourbon and rye. It is not widely reviewed online, nor is there any record of any award wins.
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However, I have managed to pull up a number of reviews, which I will detail later on.
If our review of Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish is to be believed, it is good, but it’s not great.
How Much Is Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish?
Released as a limited-edition expression in 2017, this whisky is elusive at retail. Its limited quantities mean that retailers will only stock it when they can get their hands on a bottle. I would recommend keeping an eye on whisky auctions if you would like to acquire a bottle.
That being said, there are a couple of retail options in the UK at the moment, both of which ship to the United States. The bottle comes in at around $68 or £55.
Context Is Key
As we always say, when judging expressions that are marketed towards a specific area of the market, context is key. With this whisky, the inclusion of bourbon and rye influence gives us a new level to consider.
Bourbon and rye are very different from scotch whisky, meaning that this expression may appeal best to those who have explored those spirits. The finishing program for this Blenders’ Batch is bold and striking, and may not appeal to traditionalists. However, if you are somebody who likes to explore, go right ahead!
In comparison to another luxury good, watches, the Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish is like the watches in the Casio G-Shock Full Metal Series. Both embrace experimentation and boldness, challenging traditional boundaries while remaining approachable. The whisky’s influence from bourbon and rye brings a playful twist, akin to the rugged yet stylish G-Shock, which redefines what a digital watch can be.
For those looking to break away from the norm and try something fun yet high-quality, this blend offers an engaging, unconventional experience.
What Do The Reviews Say?
We turn again to Serge Valentin, the founder of WhiskyFun. A seasoned and revered whisky enthusiast, Serge’s opinions are almost gospel in the whisky world.
He tasted the Blenders’ Batch in June 2023. Awarding it 77 points, he noted that he was disappointed by the ABV, implying that the whisky would perform better at a higher strength than the standard 40% ABV. “Frustrating because of the strength. Did those distinguished blenders decide on the bottling strength themselves? Because the heart is very right.”
Jason Debly – Jason Scotch Whisky Reviews
Jason Debly hosts a reviews blog dedicated to scotch whisky as well as Irish, bourbon, and Canadian whiskies.
Upon sampling the Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish, Jason said: “I was really surprised by this blend. Frankly, quite impressed. I particularly like the influence of the rye casks on the spirit. The rye imparts spiced rhubarb and a dry note. Really like this for the price.”
How To Drink Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish
Upon launch, Johnnie Walker was confident in this whisky’s versatility, asserting that it can be enjoyed, neat, with water, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. No specific serving suggestion was made, as far as I can find. So, the possibilities are endless.
If you are a bourbon and rye fan, it might be worth sipping this one neat the first time you try it so that you can uncover those cask influences. Then, have a play!
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