Johnnie Walker has released its latest whisky, Johnnie Walker 52 Years Old, an exceptional, limited-edition blended Scotch whisky created to honour the blending artistry of founder John Walker and his son, Alexander.
I was honoured to attend the launch tasting in the Gold Room at Tramp nightclub, Mayfair. The event was hosted by blender Aimee Morrison and Ethan Youel, along with some of his colleagues from Justerini & Brooks, the luxury wine and spirits merchant.
Morrison explained that this was the first blend of this significant age released by master blender Dr Emma Walker and celebrates ‘The Artistry of Blending’: from the past, groundbreaking work of John Walker and his son Alexander, to the present team lead by Emma, and to the future.
The whisky is a blend of malt and grain whiskies, which have all spent a minimum of 52 years in cask. This milestone is particularly poignant as it is the same age that both John and Alexander reached in their lifetimes.
The blend is bottled at its natural cask strength of 41.2% ABV and includes whiskies from:
- Cambus and Carsebridge: single grain whiskies contributing rich vanilla, butterscotch, and spice
- Blair Athol: brings intensity, with fruit-forward notes of raisins and vine fruit
- The Glenury Royal and Glenlochy: brings richness and texture
- Glen Albyn and Dalwhinnie: brings a subtle salinity
- Brora (the legendary!): imparts soft smoke, blue cheese, and a deep complexity.
Having recently tried some Johnnie Walker Red and Black Label whiskies from the 1960s and 1970s, the 52 Years Old really captures some of that old school character: the richness, the oiliness, and also gives a fascinating insight into what that sort of whisky would be like "all-grown-up", having spent almost another half-century in its cask.
Tasting notes
Nose: A soft note of rich clotted cream and plump blackcurrants, accompanied by redcurrant and more biscuity, almost leather-like notes.
Palate: The rich oiliness of the texture is luxurious — borderline decadent — with stone fruit, spice, and lingering menthol notes akin to after dinner chocolate mints. Through it all is the gentle wisp of smoke that is, to me, the backbone of the Johnnie Walker family.
Finish: Long with a pleasant dryness, notes of freshly cracked black pepper, and a light, comforting warmth, reminiscent of dying embers.
Johnnie Walker 52 Years Old is bottled at 41.2% ABV. It is available for £23,500 for 70cl and can be purchased through Diageo’s private client teams and selected luxury retail outlets.
