Johnnie Walker Island Green Special Release Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 1Lt

Johnnie Walker Island Green Special Release Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is a one-litre blended malt from Diageo's Johnnie Walker house, launched in July 2016 as a travel retail exclusive (ABV varies; see bottle label). Unlike the brand's classic blends, Island Green contains no grain whisky at all: it is composed entirely of single malts, a smokier, island-accented reinterpretation of the acclaimed Green Label formula created specifically for whisky lovers on the move.

The recipe draws one malt from each of Scotland's principal whisky regions. Peated Caol Ila from Islay sits at its heart and is pushed to the fore, joined by coastal Highland Clynelish, gently grassy Lowland Glenkinchie, and rich Speyside Cardhu. They are the same four pillars that underpin Green Label, here re-weighted so that maritime smoke and island intensity lead the way - hence the name, and hence its devoted following among peat-leaning drinkers. Each contributes the regional accent it is famous for, and together they map Scotland in a single glass.

That Islay emphasis shapes every sip: wood smoke and sea-air savor up front, then the malt-only construction reveals orchard fruit, vanilla sweetness, and peppery spice beneath, finishing long and warming. It is a whisky built to show what pure malt blending can do - broader-shouldered than Green Label, yet still round and complete - and it rewards slow sipping neat or with a few drops of water to open the smoke. Poured beside the standard blends, it makes the case that Johnnie Walker's malts can stand entirely on their own.

Because Island Green was created exclusively for the travel retail channel and bottled only in this one-litre format, it has become a sought-after catch for collectors of Johnnie Walker's harder-to-find expressions. It makes a fine trophy from a journey, a generous-format gift for the peat lover in your life, and a fascinating side-by-side companion to Green Label for anyone curious how a blend's balance can be retold.

• Size: 1L
• Proof: ABV varies; see bottle label
• Age: No Age Statement
• Origin: Scotland
• Distillery: Johnnie Walker, Scotland (Diageo)
• Category: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (100% single malts)
• Component Malts: Caol Ila (Islay), Clynelish (Highlands), Glenkinchie (Lowlands), Cardhu (Speyside)
• Edition: Travel retail exclusive, launched July 2016
• Style: Smoky, island-forward take on Green Label