When we’ve not heard from the folk at Johnnie Walker for a while, it usually means they’re up to something. As it transpires, they’ve been busy raiding the likes of Brora, Cambus, Pittyvaich and more to concoct their latest creation: Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare.

It’s the first in a series of special releases made from a combination of liquids from “ghost” distilleries (hence the name) and “rare” malt and grain Scotch. Each edition is created with one select distillery at the heart of it – Ghost and Rare champions Brora, which, tellingly, is destined to reopen in 2020.

It also contains whisky from seven other distilleries: the now-silent Cambus and Pittyvaich sites, as well as Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge.

“Whiskies from these ghost distilleries are becoming increasingly rare,” Jim Beveridge, Johnnie Walker’s master distiller, said in a statement. “From our library of irreplaceable casks that we keep exclusively for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, I’ve chosen a few uniquely full-bodied expressions of these precious malts and grains to let people explore, in a new way, the extraordinary richness found in our pinnacle whisky.”

Johnnie WalkerJohnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare in all its glory

Bottled at 46% abv, the resulting dram is said to be “velvety smooth”, with notes of pineapple, hazelnut and dark chocolate followed by a “subtle smoky finish”.

“Over the years of crafting fine Scotch whiskies, I’ve had the remarkable privilege of working with some of the rarest spirits ever to come out of Scotland,” Beveridge continued. “I’m lucky that we have stocks from more than 30 distilleries from every region of Scotland from which to choose the perfect casks to craft each blend.”

If Brora-centric Johnnie Walker sounds like it might be up your street, we’ve got it in stock here. And if £215 seems like a lot to splash out right before Christmas, you could try #WhiskySanta. He’s been feeling pretty generous as of late…