Whiskyphiles passing through top airport duty free sections should be on the lookout for the new John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2015 Edition. Showcasing the innovative craft and spirit of its creator, master blender Jim Beveridge, this is the second release from Johnnie Walker’s prestige label in a series of seven limited editions that are the ultimate collectibles for whisky lovers.

Declared as ‘flawless’ by renowned whisky writer Charles MacLean, the first John Walker & Sons Private Collection, launched in 2014, brought together an exploration of the collection’s signature smoky character from three celebrated regions of Scotland. The 2015 Edition – also a limited release with only 8,888 individually numbered decanters worldwide – reveals the fruit top notes of the house style.  Great mastery of the art of blending is required to select and craft the 29 bespoke and experimental casks into a blend that has softness and allows the fruit flavours to shine, as well as being full-bodied with layers of complexity.

“The 2015 Edition is an exceptionally smooth blend of mature whisky fruit expressions from the heart of Scotland,” says Beveridge. “The wonderful lightness of fresh and exotic Speyside notes deepens into the warm, autumnal fruits of Highland malts, finishing with a lift from the spicy, West Highland fruit character.”

Beveridge has selected several treasured casks from a study that began many years ago exploring the fascinating effects of wood on maturing whisky, which over time creates a richness and perfect harmony of flavours. These unique whiskies have been chosen both to complement and contribute to the fruit character of the 2015 edition, balancing the blend perfectly with a touch of dryness and sweetness.

The John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2015 Edition (46.8% ABV) is presented in a deep red glass decanter with an angled cut to reflect the slanted label on the iconic Johnnie Walker square bottle. Set in a cream box, the display is an elegant showcase of the story behind the rare fruit character of this blend depicted from the outside. www.johnniewalker.com