Spring 2022 Collectibles: Johnnie Walker, GlenDronach, WhistlePig
March 22, 2022 –––––– Whisky Advocate
In every issue of Whisky Advocate, we recommend three whiskies that are generally limited releases and show the most potential to gain value. For Spring 2022, the top choices came from Scotland and the United States.Check out the Buying Guide for a complete list of whiskies reviewed in the Spring 2022 issue.
Johnnie Walker 48 year old Master of Flavor96 points, 41.8%, $25,000Master blender Jim Beveridge's career finale draws on stocks from seven distilleries, producing a marriage of toffee, marzipan fruit, sweet grain, vanilla, and rich tropical fruits, with the smoke lapping in waves. Remarkably, the grain leads from the front, the flavors gathering momentum, drawing in ever richer notes encompassing soft fruits, sweet smokiness, citrus, lemon peel, and dried fruit, concluding with black fruits and vanilla essence. A work of genius. (288 bottles)—Jonny McCormick
GlenDronach 50 year old95 points, 43.8%, $25,000 The oldest GlenDronach expression ever released, matured in two separate sherry casks—PX and oloroso—then married and finished in a single PX cask for 1 year. The age is apparent from the mahogany color. A sumptuous nose is laden with aged sherry and layers of baked dark fruits, black cherry, and peach pie. Wild berries and dark chocolate truffle cake punctuate the palate, with overtones of cigar box and rich espresso. (198 bottles)—David Fleming
WhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII: Lapulapu's Pacific91 points, 52.4%, $500Earthy and pleasantly pungent on the nose, softening in the glass and yielding to aromas of cooked dark fruit, figs, raisins, and nougat. The palate is chewy, rich, and has balanced heat—offering flavors of raspberry preserves and other jammy fruits, along with cinnamon and dark chocolate. Excellent length on a finish of sweet vanilla and more cinnamon, plus subtle red fruit, sweet corn, and an earthy note at the end.—David Fleming
TOP COLLECTIBLE WHISKIES
Johnnie Walker 48 year old Master of Flavor96 points, 41.8%, $25,000Master blender Jim Beveridge's career finale draws on stocks from seven distilleries, producing a marriage of toffee, marzipan fruit, sweet grain, vanilla, and rich tropical fruits, with the smoke lapping in waves. Remarkably, the grain leads from the front, the flavors gathering momentum, drawing in ever richer notes encompassing soft fruits, sweet smokiness, citrus, lemon peel, and dried fruit, concluding with black fruits and vanilla essence. A work of genius. (288 bottles)—Jonny McCormick GlenDronach 50 year old95 points, 43.8%, $25,000 The oldest GlenDronach expression ever released, matured in two separate sherry casks—PX and oloroso—then married and finished in a single PX cask for 1 year. The age is apparent from the mahogany color. A sumptuous nose is laden with aged sherry and layers of baked dark fruits, black cherry, and peach pie. Wild berries and dark chocolate truffle cake punctuate the palate, with overtones of cigar box and rich espresso. (198 bottles)—David FlemingWhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII: Lapulapu's Pacific91 points, 52.4%, $500Earthy and pleasantly pungent on the nose, softening in the glass and yielding to aromas of cooked dark fruit, figs, raisins, and nougat. The palate is chewy, rich, and has balanced heat—offering flavors of raspberry preserves and other jammy fruits, along with cinnamon and dark chocolate. Excellent length on a finish of sweet vanilla and more cinnamon, plus subtle red fruit, sweet corn, and an earthy note at the end.—David Fleming