Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen

By now I am taken by the Johnnie Walker Blue Label, in all its manifestations…. Compared to a Single Malt it is certainly an “easier” whisky to drink, perhaps with less character, but certainly just as delicious. Ghost and Rare Port Ellen version: the feeling I get in drinking a whisky that is partly made up of distilleries that no longer exist is the same of eating (never tried by the way!) an endangered animal! I think I'm committing a sin, but deep down…. The nose reminds me a little of a high-profile Jack Daniels, like the 27 Gold, little bit artificial. You can smell the grain, the smell gives me the idea of boundless spaces and opens my mind. On the palate, the first sip disappoints because it seems to have little consistency, but then the fresh flavor, which does not resemble the classic Blue Label, with great complexity, hot and spicy, I would have also expected peaty and smoky, but it isn't: they are characteristic just hint. Spicy, long and sweet finish, which confirms the positivity of smell and palate. I would drink it by the liter, were it not for the very high price. But if I really have to say, the classic Blue Label remains unattainable for me .... However always at the top. ______________________________________________________________________________ Ormai sono preso dal Johnnie Walker Blue Label, in tutte le sue manifestazioni…. Rispetto ad un Single Malt è sicuramente un whisky più “facile” da bere, magari con meno carattere, ma sicuramente altrettanto delizioso. Versione Ghost and Rare Port Ellen: la sensazione che ho nel bere un whisky che in parte è composto di distillerie non più esistenti è quella di mangiare un animale in via di estinzione! Mi pare di commettere un peccato, ma sotto sotto…. Al naso mi ricorda un po’ un Jack Daniels di alto profilo, tipo il 27 Gold. Il grain si sente, l’odore mi da l’idea di spazi sconfinati e mi apre la mente. Al palato, il primo sorso delude perché sembra avere poca consistenza, ma poi il sapore fresco, che non assomiglia al Blue Label classico, con grande complessità, piccante, speziato, mi sarei aspettato anche torbato e fumoso, ma non è così: sono caratteristiche solo accennate. Finale piccante, lungo e dolce, che mi conferma la positività dell’olfatto e del palato. Ne berrei a litri, non fosse per il prezzo altissimo. Se però proprio devo dire, il Blue Label classico rimane per me inarrivabile.... Comunque sempre al top.

Ok so I received this bottle as a gift for a work anniversary. I then opened two years later as a celebration of a new job. Covid has taken my ability to nose whiskey properly but most peated stuff still hits some marks. From what I can tell it’s faint peat in the nose. Mouthfeel is exceptional. Very slight peat nothing like Lagavulin 16. It’s extremely refined and very elegant. Grains come through on the palate but in a good way. This is miles ahead of standard blue. Finish is spicy and lasts quite awhile for a JW product. Being that I’m still working back my smell and taste from the Rona I can’t actually guarantee what I’m saying. This is far and away though the best dram I’ve had since Covid and I think my taste is pretty much back. If you get a chance to try this I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Cheers!

I wasn’t a fan of the Blue at all. In fact, I loved the JW Green, which is a fraction of the Blue’s cost, so much more. But this one is a different beast. It’s not a full onslaught of smoke like a Lagavulin, or a delicate balance of floral like a Hibiki. Instead, it takes a wisp of smoke and harmonizes it really well with an elegant backbone of honey, floral elements, and some salt. I’m not sure how much Port Ellen is really in this, but it’s enouh to add that smoky wisp. More importantly, even though Port Ellen is the highlight name, I have a feeling it’s the other two ghosted grain distilleries (Cameronbrodge and Cally) that are the ones driving the elegance. If you’re contemplating buying the Blue...don’t. This is a bit more, but a whole better experience.

Nose: Layered with maritime smokiness, tropical fruits. Palate: Velvety, hints of honey, chocolate, and a wisp of Islay peat. Finish: Exceptionally long, smooth with a luxurious smoky tail. A blend of the extraordinary, Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen is a symphony of flavors, spotlighting the legendary Port Ellen distillery. A collector's treasure.

Bottle looks good, Idea of a Port Ellen blue is interesting. A great gift bottle. The liquid is easy drinking like the blue, with higher abv and a nice smokiness similar to coa ila distiller’s edition. However, there is way too much grain inside this blend and lack of character. Not a whisky to remember.

Picked this up tonight - I was blown away... I have bottle or regular blue ...and it’s not great. This it a fantastic blend with delicate notes of citrus, Werthers original, cereal grains, rye spice, pineapple, mango, and chocolate ... phenomenal.