Johnson Reserve, a whisky maker known for its expertise in maturation, has set a new world record for the whisky with the greatest variety of flavours

The record was awarded by Guinness World Records for their whisky Ascension, which was aged in 33 different casks from around the world, creating a complex and unique flavor profile.

Founder Alexander Johnson, who has spent over a decade perfecting his maturation techniques, explained that the key to Ascension’s success was a careful, experimental approach to barrel aging. Each cask was carefully selected, with some being used for as little as three months, and the freshness of the barrel played a significant role in enhancing the whisky’s flavor. Some casks were quite rare and expensive, like a Japanese mizunara oak cask, which cost over £4,000 each. These casks were chosen for their ability to impart unique flavors over time, especially the older Cognac barrels, which added complex, earthy notes to the whisky.

Johnson spent years testing different barrels, with some early attempts failing when the wrong casks were used, but this allowed him to fine-tune the process. The result of all this experimentation is a whisky with a stunning range of flavors, including honeyed fig, toasted almond, cedarwood, caramelized pear, dark cocoa, and smoky mezcal, with a long, lingering finish of sweet tobacco and toasted hazelnut.

Only 40 bottles of Ascension have been produced, and a special ballot will be held for those interested in purchasing one. The whisky is a testament to Johnson’s years of dedication to perfecting the craft of whisky maturation, showcasing what can be achieved when precision and patience meet.