Abundant lore surrounds Scotland’s lost distilleries with two legendary names dominating the conversation: Port Ellen and Brora. Pining aficionados have long waxed lyrical about Port Ellen’s complex smokiness infused with hints of lemon zest and salted tropical nuts. With the original warehouse surviving closure of the distillery in 1983, the ‘ghost’ whiskies within have gained an almost mythical status. To give you some idea, in 2017 limited-edition bottles of 1934 Port Ellen had a price point of USD $3,500 (approximately RM14,296).

This rarity attracted the purveyors of Johnnie Walker Blue Label (RM951), in itself a special expression with only one in 10,000 casks making the cut, composing of single malts aged a minimum of 20 years.

Enter the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen (RM1,688). This edition contains eight supreme Scottish whiskies: three ghost whiskies and five equally rare single-malt expressions from the brand’s vast reserves.

Anchoring this special run is of course the softly-peated Port Ellen signature, balanced with sweet creamy vanilla samples from long-shuttered Caledonian and Carsebridge distilleries. Added panache, courtesy of single malts from Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol, and Oban distilleries, offer sensations of chewy malts with crisp green apples to accompany that unmistakable Islay smokiness in the finish.

While parent company Diageo has already got the blueprints to rebuild both Port Ellen and Brora facilities beginning 2020, this is your chance to review the pleasurable nuances of a legendary maritime inspired dram.