Johnnie Walker goes NFT with Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas

Johnnie Walker has partnered with luxury NFT marketplace BlockBar on the upcoming release of Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dunda, the latest in a series of blended whiskeys sourced from “ghost” distilleries. 75 limited edition “master” sets will arrive on September 9th.

There was no word on a more generalized release.

This latest release in the Blue Label Ghost and Rare Series, according to those behind it, “explores the character of exceptional and rare whiskeys from one of the world’s most famous Grain Whiskey distilleries, the Glasgow ‘ghost’ distillery in Port Dundas. This renowned distillery, located on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal, shipped its distinctive Scotch from Glasgow to ports around the world for almost 200 years.

Johnnie Walker has teamed up with BlockBar.com on the fifth installment of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series – Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas. (image via Diageo)

“Built in 1811, Port Dundas became a whiskey blending powerhouse known for its distinctive sweet and delicate grain character before closing in 2010.”

By setting up the kits on BlockBar, those who manage to secure one through the platform’s digital process will receive “a physical 1L bottle with the signature of Emma Walker (master blender for Johnnie Walker); The NFT bottle (digital version of the bottle); a unique digital artwork by award-winning generative AI artist and photographer, Ivona Tau; and access to an exclusive virtual storytelling experience with Emma Walker and Ivona Tau where they will share their inspiration behind their respective masterpieces.”

Tau, in her role in this release, will see her art” in this Master Set draw[ing] inspiration from the vital element and power of nature, water and building[ing] on her “Under the Waves” project. Her process consisted of several stages of AI to create 75 unique NFTs that capture the juxtaposition between the constant flow of water and the water tamed in each bottle of Ghost and Rare Port Dundas. Each of the 75 NFTs will be different.”

As for the whiskey itself, Emma Walker and her team are said to have “handpicked the most distinctive expressions of whiskey maturation from Port Dundas for this new limited edition. Walker selected a small number of distinctive aged whiskeys from the Johnnie Walker Reserves, all matured in two different woods to add depth and layers to the blend, Ghost and Rare Port Dundas has a hint of creamy vanilla notes from whiskey aged in second-fill American oak casks and subtle wood spice from Scotch matured in first-fill, highly charred American oak casks.

“To complement the fragrant woody spice character of Port Dundas, Emma and her team hand-selected two other ‘ghost’ whiskeys from the distilleries of Cambus and Brora before combining these with other very rare scotches from five iconic distilleries. Creamy woody notes from Port Dundas embrace vanilla and soft smoke from the “ghost” whiskeys of Cambus and original stocks from Brora.

“Other very rare whiskeys from Cameronbridge and Glenkinchie reveal notes of spiced apples alongside Clynelish, Dailuaine and Auchroisk, bringing aromas of peach and berry.”

“Port Dundas was once one of the finest grain whiskey distilleries in the world and the rare expressions we have selected from our reserves are some of the most distinctive it has ever produced,” Emma Walker said in a prepared statement. “Their slow ripening allows the sweet and delicate grain character to flourish.

“These rare whiskeys highlight the distillery’s character of Port Dundas and perfectly showcase the amazing depth of flavor that this Grain Whiskey brings to Johnnie Walker Blue Label. That incredible character inspired us to create something truly extraordinary that pays tribute to the whiskey makers of this historic Glasgow distillery .”

The 75 limited edition Ghost and Rare Port Dundas Master Sets will be released on BlockBar.com at 10 EST Friday the 9th. September. NFT priced at $775 USD (approx. 0.51 ETH) can be purchased from BlockBar.com with ETH or credit card. At 10am, the first users to reserve the bottle will have 10 minutes to pay.

Users who successfully check out will receive an NFT (digital version) representing proof of authenticity and ownership of the physical bottle, which is stored with BlockBar until the bottle owner is ready to “burn” the NFT to redeem. Bottle owners can give or resell this NFT on the BlockBar.com marketplace.