Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas is a limited-edition blended Scotch whisky from Scotland, built around grain whisky from the now-lost Port Dundas distillery. It is a blend of eight of the rarest whiskies from the reserves, at whose heart lie whiskies from the "ghost" distillery Port Dundas, one of the most famous Scottish grain whisky distilleries.
Port Dundas was a renowned grain whisky distillery that for nearly 200 years shipped its distinctive spirit all over the world. The plant was founded in 1811 and closed its doors in 2010. This is the fifth instalment in the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series, exploring the character of exceptional and rare whiskies from one of the world's most famous grain whisky distilleries, namely the "ghost" Glasgow distillery Port Dundas. The Johnnie Walker team of specialists, led by Master Blender Dr Emma Walker, hand-picked the most characterful expressions of maturing Port Dundas whisky for this limited edition.
The blend reaches beyond its grain core. Only the rarest and most distinctive casks of maturing Port Dundas whisky were chosen, alongside other "ghost" whiskies from the Cambus and Brora distilleries as well as exceptional, rare single malts. The blend also contains whiskies from Cambus, Brora, Cameronbridge, Glenkinchie, Dailuaine, Clynelish and Auchroisk.
In the glass it appears as amber gold with a light to medium body. Very sweet notes of wood, creamy vanilla, toffee and baked apple, with a touch of spicy wood and gentle sweet smoke. Buttery creaminess, vanilla and butterscotch. Fresh fruit in the form of peaches and berries, a soft spicy wood note. Light, creamy and silky, with layers of delicate spicy wood and hints of smoke.
The individual components bring recognisable accents. The whisky introduces creamy, woody notes that envelop the vanilla and soft smoke of the "ghost" whiskies from Cambus and Brora; the rare whiskies from Cameronbridge and Glenkinchie reveal notes of baked apple alongside aromas of peaches and dark berries from Clynelish, Dailuaine and Auchroisk. Given the presence of rare whisky from the Port Dundas distillery, it is worth tasting it neat or with a drop of water, which will allow it to open up and bring out the nuances of the blend.