John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2014 Edition (70cl, 46.8%)

A blended Scotch whisky from John Walker & Sons, the 2014 edition of the Private Collection and the first in a planned annual series. It is bottled at 46.8% abv in a 70cl bottle, one of 8,888 individually numbered bottles, and comes in a presentation case with a book. It was blended by Master Blender Jim Beveridge from 29 casks, including experimental casks from Diageo's Calculus trial, to bring out the smoky side of Highland, Island and Islay whiskies. The nose combines smoky leather, salt, dried fruit, nuts, vanilla and cedar. The palate is balanced, with smoke, nuts and berry fruit, and the finish is long with oak, spice, mild smoke and a little salt.