John Walker & Sons 28 Years Old Bicentenary Blend 200th Anniversary

John Walker & Sons 28 Years Old Bicentenary Blend 200th Anniversary is a blended Scotch from John Walker & Sons. It marries malt and grain whiskies, with grain from lost distilleries such as Cambus. Cambus grain, from a distillery closed in 1993, lends a sweet, oily depth to such whiskies.

Grain lends a light, sweet frame while the malts bring depth. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla and crème brûlée. The whiskies are married and rested before bottling. Aged grain such as Cambus brings coconut, vanilla and a buttery oak to a blend. A blended grain marries grain whiskies from more than one distillery. The maker selects casks for the sweetness and depth each lends. Grain from lost distilleries gives such whiskies a rare, old character. A period of marrying lets the whiskies settle together. The result is a soft, sweet, oily Scotch with a creamy oak depth.

At an easy 46% it is gentle. Coconut, vanilla, toffee and a soft oil run through it, with a creamy oak depth. It is clean and sweet, the grain spirit shining through. A sweet, coconut led finish lingers. A characterful blended Scotch drawing on grain from a vanished distillery.