John Walker Private Collection 2015 Looks To Be Simply One Awesome Scotch

Diageo’s first release of the John Walker Private Collection blended whiskey under the John Walker & Sons brand came with such critical acclaim, they’ve released their second edition in mid-December, less than a year later (the 2014 edition launched in May of 2014 for distribution to key Johnnie Walker clients).

At a launch event back on December 9th of last year, Diageo’s aptly-named master blender Jim Beveridge said that exactly 8,888 bottles of the sophomore release will be released in Europe, the United States, Asia and travel-based retail markets.  The sophisticated blended scotch whiskey (46.8% ABV) will retail for around $860.00 US and is packaged in a beautiful cream-colored collector’s box.  The bottle itself has the signature Johnnie Walker banner impressed into the glass so as to leave the “talking” to the beautiful mahogany-colored whiskey itself.

As for what’s inside the refined packaging, a bold ‘Rare Fruit Character’ to match.  As the most recognizable brand of whiskey, Beveridge said they wanted to showcase a small batch blend of 29 bespoke and experimental casks to showcase various expressions of fruit styles from different regions.  The initial aromas, according to tasting notes, are fresh, grassy and crisp, then evolve into spicy dried West Highland citrus fruits balanced by sweet chocolate and vanilla notes provided by the American oak casks.  If you prefer a few drops of water, the whiskey becomes more floral in the nose.

As you would expect with a high-end blended whiskey, the texture, according to those behind it, is smooth and velvet-like that coats the palate before finishing with the warm and smoky impression John Walker & Sons is so well known for.  If you’re a Johnnie Walker faithful, a dram of this release is not to be missed.