Johnnie Walker Adds Sherry Cask Finish To Its Blenders’ Batch Line

The Johnnie Walker line up of Scotch whisky, among its various bottling families, contains one known as Blenders’ Batch. We’ve touched upon this one before, noting it provides a bit of room for the Walker blending team to experiment with. A new release is now out from this range that’s been been finished in ex-sherry casks.

What’s known as Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Sherry Cask Finish, according to those behind it, is a blended Scotch made up of whiskies from from distilleries such as Blair Athol, Cardhu and Strathmill. It is noted as being a 12 year old expression which saw an undisclosed extra amount of time in former sherry barrels as part of an exploration of the fruity notes that sherry cask maturation brings to the taste.

It is said as well the experiment behind this latest release took inspiration from Johnnie Walker Black Label, which has been crafted with an element of sherry cask maturation for over a hundred years. The resulting expression, of which you can read very limited official tasting notes at the end of this story, will be available in duty free stores worldwide for around $44 for a 1-liter bottle. It is most suitable for use in mixing cocktails.

“The outcome has been extraordinary; Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Sherry Cask Finish is a fantastically sweet and rich whisky,” said Aimée Gibson, Johnnie Walker expert whisky maker, in a prepared statement. “It’s the perfect introduction for those who are new to Scotch Whisky, but will also excite seasoned whisky lovers.”

notes of sweet vanilla, smoke, raisins and a warming finish of dark chocolate.