PBMichiganWolverine
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen
Blended — Scotland
Reviewed
March 9, 2019 (edited December 20, 2023)
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.
250.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@LeeEvolved I hear ya. I’m 46 with a Snow White beard and hair. But when I shave it I reaffirm how fat I am!
@LeeEvolved 😊
@PBMichiganWolverine - lol, don’t deflect. We all know who has the goods.
@LeeEvolved I think you might have one of the top 10 whiskey collections in the US. Whiskey Advocate needs to write an article on your collection
@PBMichiganWolverine - I’ll only take the AARP discount on any bottles you’d like to sell as you think your cellar out some more. An additional 20% on top of the 15% friends of SDT makes some of those really dusty bottles reachable for me haha.
@LeeEvolved you should’ve taken the discount. I hear the AARP discounts are pretty good 😀
@deuce26 - I shaved it off back around New Year’s. I got offered the senior citizen discount at a golf course by mistake and it had to go, haha. I’m only 47.
@LeeEvolved where did the beard go?
@ScotchingHard I’ve read the Brora one is better—which explains why that’s harder to find now
Haven’t tried this one yet. But I had the Brora ghost and rare and bought a bottle the next day. Hope this one is as great!
@LeeEvolved i also think once the new Brora starts producing, these old ones, including the blended JW Rares, will skyrocket up,
@PBMichiganWolverine - hmm, I thought I still saw the Brora at a few places. Maybe they aren’t designating which one they actually have- probably need to call and confirm. Prices still sub-$300, though.
@LeeEvolved the Port Ellen can be replaced easily ( I was looking since my bottle was opened and finished last night with family). The Brora one, I think, not so much
@PBMichiganWolverine - yeah I shaved the beard around New Year’s because I was being mistaken for a senior citizen. I haven’t had the regular Blue Label in so long I forgot everything about it, plus it was back when I wasn’t worried about tasting notes, etc. I’m still not sure I’ll open those Ghosted Blues- although they still can be replaced rather easily so....
@LeeEvolved you changed your avatar picture? Got rid of the Laphroaig cap one? Yeah, I really liked this one. I had the standard Blue in mind , so was comparing against that. Personally, I liked the balance of a wee bit of smoke with the floral.
Is this really a 5-star dram or were you slightly caught up in the moment? I’ve heard so many mixed reviews that I basically declared these bottles solely as collectibles. You are making me want to open both. Great review, as usual. Cheers, my friend.
@Rick_M I’m now curious to try their Brora and Rare, which is reportedly even better than this
@Soba45 I was really pleasantly surprised by this one. I was hoping it wasn’t a Blue with teaspooned of the ghosted
@PBMichiganWolverine - interesting blend and good analysis.
Ah nice! I was thinking for my 600th review to crack the Jaw Brora and Port Ellen and try side by side. Nice to see JW did a good job and didn't skimp on the good stuff!