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, marrying malt and grain whiskies, with rare Islay malt such as Port Ellen among its components. Blends like this fold a whisper of legendary closed distillery smoke into a rounded whole. Annual Special Releases through Diageo sealed its mythic status.

A blended Scotch combines malts for character with grain for a lighter frame. At 28 year old every part has spent years in oak, the peated Islay malts lending smoke and the grain a creamy base. An American oak cask shaped it, lending only a light sweetness under the smoke. The long sleep concentrates the smoke and builds a lanolin, waxy texture. The blender balances the parts into one harmonious Scotch. The Port Ellen within ties it to one of Islay's lost legends. Smoke, salt and citrus run through its Islay character.

At an easy 46% it is gentle and briny. Honey, dried fruit and orchard sweetness meet a briny peat smoke and brine, wax and a mineral edge from the Islay malts. A lanolin wax and a coastal salinity give it real weight. Deep and elegant, the smoke lingers long. A refined blend touched by Port Ellen smoke.