The latest ‘ghost story’ from Johnnie Walker, the world’s number one Scotch whisky maker, is set to thrill drinkers and collectors.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen contains whiskies from three Scottish ‘ghost’ distilleries – distilleries that have closed but retained a few rare casks.

This release, the second in the company’s ghost series, is built around the much-sought-after single malt from Port Ellen on Islay, which closed its doors in 1983. Two other ghost whiskies, from the Caledonian and Carsebridge distilleries, also feature, alongside rare malts from Mortlach, Dailuaine, Cragganmore, Blair Athol and Oban.

This new blend is the work of Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge, winner of Master Blender of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

“Whiskies from ghost distilleries are becoming increasingly rare,” says Beveridge. “I’ve hand picked a few uniquely full-bodied expressions to encompass the true rarity that Port Ellen whiskies offer.”

Alongside the maritime smokiness of Port Ellen, expect to find creamy vanilla sweetness courtesy of the Caledonian and Carsebridge malts, together with citrus, rich malt and tropical fruit notes delivered by the other rare malts making up this exceptional blend.

Beveridge says this second release has been “specially crafted to encourage people to explore, in a new way, the unique depth of character and flavour of Johnnie Walker Blue Label”.

The release is the first step in bringing Port Ellen back to life as a working distillery. “Port Ellen has been silent for 35 years,” says Diageo’s Australian national whisky ambassador, Simon McGoram, “and in this time its Scotch has become some of the most sought-after on the planet. We aspire to begin crafting whiskies from this iconic Scottish shoreline once again in the near future.”

Adding to the allure of this new whisky is its custom packaging, showing the distilleries used in the blend on a map of Scotland.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen is available to purchase now from most major liquor stores, at $480 for a 750ml bottle.