John Walker & Sons XR 23 Blended Scotch Whisky

John Walker & Sons XR 23 Blended Scotch Whisky is a blended Scotch from John Walker and Sons, with Cragganmore at its heart. Cragganmore has been the heart malt of Johnnie Walker since the Cummings sold the distillery to the Walkers in 1893. It is often called one of the most complex of all the Speyside malts.

Cragganmore lends a soft, honeyed Speyside sweetness to the blend. A refill bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the fragrant character to the fore. Refill oak lets the complex Cragganmore character lead, malt and dried fruit beneath. Its spirit stills are flat topped with a wide neck, an unusual shape that builds a complex, fragrant spirit. Worm tub condensers give the spirit a meaty weight, balanced by the reflux of the flat topped stills. Its malt has long been the heart of the Old Parr and McCallum's blends. The flat topped stills build a complexity that long maturation only deepens.

At 40% it is clean and soft. Soft orchard fruit, honey and a gentle spice run through it, smooth and approachable. A dried fruit and a malty depth give it weight. The close is long, fruit over a complex malt. A characterful blended Scotch.