Johnnie Walker Adds Another Whisky To Its Growing Blenders’ Batch Collection

Diageo’s Johnnie Walker blended whisky brand, as many know, has bottlings galore across multiple collections and price points that all do a good job of conveying the fact this is a label geared towards all types of whisky drinkers. One of these is the Blenders’ Batch portfolio, described as being experimental in nature. It is to this line we see the recent debut of the Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish.

The new Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish, according to those behind it, is the result of more than 50 experiments exploring over 200 whisky samples, and features whiskies from just five distilleries, including Dufftown and the now closed Port Dundas. The final blend, which is non-age statement in nature, was first aged in first-fill bourbon casks and then finished for up six months in former rye barrels before being bottled at 40% ABV.

“What we’re doing today is what we’ve done for almost 200 years, experimenting with flavours and flavour influences to make sure that the whisky we make every day is the very best it can be,” said master blender Dr Jim Beveridge in a prepared statement. “Right now, interest in whisky is higher than it’s ever been and it’s the right time to let people try some of the innovative – sometimes seemingly weird – things we’re experimenting with. We think people will love these whiskies and more than that, they’ll love knowing the story of how they came about.”

Plans call for Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish to be released into the travel retail sector in a 1-liter bottle for around $53. It joins two other bottles in the Blenders’ Batch line up, including Triple Grain American Oak and Red Rye Finish.