John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend is a limited-edition blended Scotch whisky released in 2020 to mark the 200th anniversary of John Walker opening his first grocery store in Kilmarnock. Produced by Diageo under the John Walker & Sons name, it draws inspiration from the brand’s Old Highland Whisky of the 1860s and incorporates whiskies from distilleries operating during that period. Bottled at 51% ABV, it was released in limited quantities worldwide and typically retailed for around $75.
The taste is thick and nectar-like with peaches and apricots at first, followed white pepper and allspice with hints of honey and vanilla in the background.
The strength and pepperiness give this plenty of clout, with a flavor unique among Johnnie Walker whiskies: brown sugar, hazelnut, royal icing on wedding cake, nuts, pepper, clove, peat, and blackened fruitcake.
In any case, working through the initial rush of heat reveals an iconic blended Scotch experience, with many of the fresh bread and gentle fruit notes endemic to Black Label accounted for, only much pushier thanks to the higher abv and without only the faintest level of smoky peat in the mix.
This whisky was hot. The heat hit first and grew to a sharp prickle that stuck around through the entire tasting. It has a nutty note that is followed by a bit of orange peel.