Diageo’s Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker has expanded its offerings portfolio with the addition of Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve.

The company has released the new expression to honour its Master Blender Jim Beveridge’s 42 years of ‘exceptional craft and dedication’ to whisky.

Johnnie Walker global brand director John Williams said: “Jim is a giant of our industry and we wanted to make sure we marked this milestone with a truly special whisky.

“It was a pleasure to ask Jim to craft a Scotch that paid tribute to those whiskies that have left an indelible mark on his career.”

With 43% alcohol by volume (ABV), Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve is said to have been produced using some of the finest Scotch in the Johnnie Walker reserves.

Jim notes that he selected eight variants, claimed to be 40 years old, for creating the new expression.

The company said that the new expression is a limited edition variant, with only 398 bottles released in the market.

Jim added: “Every whisky that has gone into the creation of this new expression holds a special place in my heart. I worked at each of these distilleries during various points of my career and the flavours and smells of those whiskies transport me back to very happy times throughout my career.

“The ‘ghost’ whiskies from Cambus, Carsebridge and Pittyvaich bring layers of rich fruit flavour. We’ve combined this with the flavours of dark chocolate, plums and cherries found in the wonderfully aged expressions of Royal Lochnagar, Glendullan and Cragganmore and the soft aromatic sea salt notes of Talisker and Port Ellen – creating a beautiful, full-bodied whisky.”

Johnnie Walker Master’s Ruby Reserve is now available for purchase for an RRSP of £15,000.

The company, now owned by Diageo, originated in the Scottish town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, first established by grocer John Walker.