Last week, drinks giant Diageo launched a new addition to its Johnnie Walker Blue Label collection, Ghost and Rare Port Ellen, at a global unveiling in central London.

 

The event took place at the grade II listed Welsh Chapel on Shaftesbury Avenue – formerly a night club which was then converted into a performing arts space – in the heart of London’s West End.

 

Members of the press and VIP guests were treated to a sit-down lunch designed by Diageo Reserve’s newly appointed, Global Gastronomer Mark Moriarty. An exclusive tasting conducted by Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Jim Beveridge, followed.

 

In a surprise guest performance, renowned actor, writer, director and producer Stanley Tucci read ‘Borealis on the Bay’; an ode created for the occasion by Scottish poet Jon Plunkett.

 

The piece pays homage to the history and spirit of Kilnaughton Bay, the home of Port Ellen, the ‘ghost’ distillery which shut its doors in 1983, and the hero of this latest release in the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series.

 

 

PASSIONS ENTWINE FOR TUCCI

Stanley Tucci said: “It’s been a wonderful experience for me to be part of the launch of the new Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare release. I’m thrilled to have been able to explore the story of Port Ellen and combine my passion for language and performance with my love of whisky.”

 

The new whisky – which will available in select airports at a RRSP of 300 GBP/399 USD for a 1L bottle – is the second in a series of special editions crafted using ‘ghost’ whiskies and other ‘incredibly rare’ whiskies from the Johnnie Walker Blue Label reserves.

 

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen follows the release of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Brora last year.

 

Anna MacDonald, Marketing and Innovation Director, Diageo Global Travel said: “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 the travellers who enjoy the finer things in life. Consequently, we anticipate that the addition of highly sought after Port Ellen stocks will mean this exceptional whisky won’t be available for long.”

 

AIRPORT ACTIVATIONS

To promote the new release, Diageo will conduct interactive retail activations imploring holographic and LCD lighting displays to ‘showcase the ghostly spirit of this matchless whiskey’, says Diageo.

 

The company will also offer a personalised gift wrapping service including a calligraphy style hand-written note inspired by the scripted ‘ghost’ distillery names found on the bottle.

 

Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge said that the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series is an ‘exciting exploration of flavour’.

 

“These whiskies deliver a fascinating glimpse into another world, exploring the unique, inimitable character of whiskies from a small number of iconic, closed distilleries that lend something very special to every drop of Johnnie Walker Blue Label,” said Beveridge.

 

“It’s really interesting to be able to put a spotlight on the character of these whiskies.”

 

“‘Ghost’ whiskies 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.”

 

At the end of last year, Diageo announced that Port Ellen and Brora would be ‘brought back to life’ through a £35m investment.

 

“In the 34 years since Brora and Port Ellen were closed, the whiskies they produced have become some of the most highly prized and sought after liquids in Scotch whisky, renowned for exceptional quality and character; elevating the lost distilleries to cult status amongst whisky enthusiasts and collectors,” adds Diageo.