Diageo Global Travel launches Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen
Interactive retail activations are set to inspire travelers on the origins of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen
The second in a series of limited-edition Johnny Walker Blue Label, it has been carefully crafted using irreplaceable ‘ghost’ whiskeys and other incredibly rare whiskeys. At the heart of this limited edition lies the highly sought-after Islay single malt, Port Ellen - a ‘ghost’ distillery that shut its doors in 1983.
“It’s incredibly exciting to announce the addition of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen to our Global Travel portfolio. As a limited edition, this is a unique and rare offering for travelers who enjoy the finer things in life. Consequently, we anticipate that the addition of highly sought-after Port Ellen stocks will mean this exceptional whiskey won’t be available for long,” said Anna MacDonald, Marketing and Innovation Director, Diageo Global Travel.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen follow the release of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Brora last year. Each edition in the series offers a fleeting opportunity to savour the depth of character of whiskeys from distilleries whose spirit lives on in their dwindling stocks.
For Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge and his small team of expert blenders, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series is an exciting exploration of flavor. “These whiskeys deliver a fascinating glimpse into another world, exploring the unique, inimitable character of whiskeys from a small number of iconic, closed distilleries that lend something very special to every drop of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. It’s really interesting to be able to put a spotlight on the character of these whiskeys,” said Beveridge.
Even though the Port Ellen distillery is now silent, Jim is excited to recapture the memory of the precious cargo of smoky Island single malts that were once carried on ships sailing from this famous distillery by balancing its unique character with other incredibly rare whiskeys.
“Ghost’ whiskeys from Caledonian and Carsebridge add layers of creamy, vanilla sweetness whilst rare malts from Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol and Oban deliver rolling waves of waxy citrus, rich malt, and tropical fruit flavours - all perfectly balanced by the distinctive maritime smokiness of Port Ellen that lingers in the long and warming finish,” added Beveridge.
Eye-catching holographic and LCD lighting displays will capture and showcase the ghostly spirit of this matchless whiskey, and a personalized gift-wrapping service will offer shoppers the opportunity to include a calligraphy style hand-written note inspired by the scripted ‘ghost’ distillery names found on the bottle.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen is bottled at an ABV of 43.8% is available globally and in selected airports at a RRSP of £300 (US$399) for a 1L bottle. Each bottle in this special release is individually numbered.
