Pick of the Launches

JOHN WALKER PRIVATE COLLECTION 2017

Brand owner Diageo

RRP £550, €650, US$690

Markets Global through specialist retailers

Contact johnniewalker.com

Diageo has unveiled the fourth John Walker & Sons Private Collection expression.

The 2017 edition, Mastery of Oak (46.8% abv), is available in Harrods and other specialist retailers. The recommended retail price is £550. There are 5,588 numbered decanters. The 2017 Edition is said to celebrate the full richness of cask character.

Mastery of Oak comes in a glass decanter with rings representing oak and an angled cut to reflect the Johnnie Walker slanted label. The series showcases the Walker house style and gives its blending, team led by Jim Beveridge, the opportunity to experiment and show their knowledge and expertise through small batch, one-off blends of rare and experimental whiskies.

Master blender Beveridge and fellow blender Aimée Gibson are said to have hand-picked exceptional casks of malt and grain whiskies to create three vattings from which to make the final blend. Each was designed to contribute certain flavours from a different aspect of oak management.