We chat up the Master Blender of Scotch Whisky giants Johnnie Walker to find out all there is to know about blending whiskies, age statements as well as limited edition blends

You’ve been the Master of Blending for Johnnie Walker now for over 33 years, is there anything about the whisky blending process that continues to surprise you?
Yes, there still is. A blend like Johnnie Walker Black Label is a very consistent blend so we build in a lot of safety nets to make sure each batch is consistent. At a much smaller level where you have just a handful of casks, you’ll get a lot of surprises when you start blending flavours together.

Does having an age statement hamper your thought process in any way?
If I had a preference, I would prefer to blend with no age statement as that would mean I would get the opportunity to choose and use whiskies when they’re at their best.

So does the age statement really come into question now?
Well personally I prefer young whiskies because you get that vibrancy and that enables the blend to really come alive.The old whiskies tend to have flavours that are more integrated and easier to taste but they lack vibrancy and energy. Having a younger whisky to provide these properties would make a great whisky. 

Are there any modern techniques involved in blending these days or is it still a very old-fashioned rudimentary project?
Well the basics are the same, but it’s a job that you’re almost certain to continuously learn all the time. At the core of it, it’s essentially a person with a glass testing out these whiskies. 

Will we ever see a day machines take over the task of a Master Blender?
I don’t think so. Our sense of smell and taste are just too acutely tuned for a machine to come in and take over.

Do you have a particular limited blend that you conceptualised yourself?
Recently we made the 1910 exclusively for the Chinese market and that was a blend that I worked intimately in creating. The Johnnie Walker 1910 Commemorative Special Edition Bottle was produced to mark the launch of the Johnnie Walker House in Shanghai.

Why was it called the 1910?
1910 marks the year that Johnnie Walker was first enjoyed in China. The blend was inspired by the whisky blends that were created by in those times. The 1910 was just sold exclusively in China and we only produced a thousand bottles of it.