Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour 48 Year Old (70cl, 41.8%)

This is a 48-year-old blended Scotch whisky from Johnnie Walker, bottled at 41.8% ABV in a 70cl bottle. It is the third and final expression in the Masters series, after The John Walker Master's Edition and Master's Ruby Reserve. The blend draws on whiskies aged for at least 48 years from four closed distilleries: Port Dundas, Brora, Glen Albyn and Glenury Royal. Only 288 bottles were made. The series looks at malting, distilling, cask maturation and blending as equal contributors to flavour. The nose opens with soft smoke, seaweed and salty air, then rich dried fruit, molasses and leather-bound books. On the palate come currants, cinnamon-infused apple, star anise, peppercorn, baked caramel and butterscotch, ending in gentle, warming smoke.