John Walker & Sons King George V Chinese New Year Edition 2022

John Walker & Sons King George V Chinese New Year Edition 2022 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. Port Ellen distilled again from 2024, yet this is spirit from the closed era.

A blended Scotch combines malts for character with grain for a lighter frame. Drawing on well aged stock, the peated Islay malts lending smoke and the grain a creamy base. Maturation in a refill ex-Bourbon barrel kept the malt lean and smoky. Port Ellen was matured largely in refill casks, which sharpen the smoke and leave the malt a touch austere. The blender balances the parts into one harmonious Scotch. The Islay malts give it a smoke quite unlike a mainland blend. Vattings like this let the smoky malts of Islay shine together.

At 43% it is supple and elegant. Honey, dried fruit and orchard sweetness meet a graceful Islay smoke and lemon peel and sea brine from the Islay malts. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a waxy body. The finish smoulders gently, oily and long. A refined blend touched by Port Ellen smoke.