NEW YORK, March 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Scotch Whisky
blenders live in the past, present and future, always balancing the
role of tradition and modern innovation. At Johnnie Walker, the
world's number one best-selling Scotch whisky, our blending team
has a passionate obsession with quality blending and flavor.
Their exploration is continued proof that Johnnie Walker is a
pioneer in Blended Scotch Whisky flavor experimentation and
innovation for nearly 200 years. For the first time, the
brand is opening its doors to showcase the hundreds of experiments
in flavor carried out by the Johnnie Walker blending team in
Scotland with the release of
Blenders' Batch, a global experimental program highlighting the art
of blending.
These limited-edition experimental whiskies challenge convention
and provide unparalleled insight into the skill and never-ending
pursuit of flavor that drives Master Blender Dr. Jim Beveridge and his expert team of blenders.
The hundreds of on-going experiments that Beveridge and his team
study are a crucial part of their work, focusing on developing and
understanding a vast variety of unconventional flavors that can add
depth and complexity to Scotch.
"Experimentation is the key to innovation and has been at the
heart of Johnnie Walker from the very beginning. Our founder
John Walker's first experiments were
with flavors inspired by teas and spices from the new world.
Walker's first blends weren't bound by the traditional styles of
particular whisky producing regions in Scotland, but were experiments in flavor using
casks from all over the country and later the world. What
we're doing today is what we've done for nearly 200 years and we
are thrilled to be opening our doors, allowing people to
experience the vast array of flavor experiments happening
every day," commented Master Blender Jim Beveridge.
In the US, the first blend that will be available is Johnnie
Walker Blenders' Batch Triple Grain American Oak, which is
the result of experiments focusing on the influence of bourbon and
rye whiskey flavors on Scotch. This whisky is inspired by the
time Beveridge spent working in Kentucky blending bourbon and rye. Aged for at
least 10 years in American oak, including bourbon casks, Johnnie
Walker Blenders' Batch Triple Grain American Oak is crafted using
five whiskies including grain from the now closed Port Dundas
distillery and malt from Mortlach on Speyside. This combination
creates a whisky that is uniquely smooth, with notes of sweet fresh
fruit and gentle spice. This style of whisky is excellent as the
foundation for classic and signature cocktails.
Emma Walker, a blender on
Beveridge's expert team noted, "I love having the opportunity to
experiment with flavor when making whisky. With more than 8 million
casks of whisky to choose from, the only limit put on our
experiments is that of our own imagination. As blenders, we like to
think 'from the bar back' when making whisky so that bartenders and
whisky enthusiasts who enjoy mixing cocktails have the ideal blends
at hand to not only serve neat and on the rocks, but also as the
foundation of flawless Scotch-based cocktails. We hope that these
new blends excite their palate and imagination and they enjoy
experimenting with the product responsibly."
Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Triple Grain American Oak will be
available nationwide with suggested retail price of $29.99 (750ml) until supplies last. We look
forward to announcing additional whiskies as part of the US program
in the near future. Please visit our website, www.JohnnieWalker.com
to learn more about our portfolio.
About Johnnie Walker:
Johnnie Walker is the
world's number-one selling Scotch whisky brand, representing the
idea of personal progress for the many people who enjoy it in more
than 180 countries worldwide. John
Walker pioneered blending when he founded the business in
1820 and never looked back, growing it from a grocer's own Scotch
whisky into a stylish, global icon. It's that same
forward-looking perspective that drives the brand, and its
consumers, today. The U.S. range of award-winning whiskies includes
Johnnie Walker® Red Label®, Johnnie Walker® Black Label®, Johnnie
Walker Double Black®, Johnnie Walker® Gold Label Reserve®, Johnnie
Walker Platinum Label® and Johnnie Walker® Blue Label®. For more
information visit www.johnniewalker.com or follow us on Facebook
and Twitter @JohnnieWalkerUS. #KeepWalking
About Diageo:
Diageo is the world's leading
premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage
alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These
brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel
One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people and its brands, visit
www.diageo.com. For Diageo's global resource that promotes
responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools,
information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.
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SOURCE Diageo