Johnnie Walkers Blenders' Batch, Limited Edition

THE EVENT...

AT THE.... 

Get it? Well, it's Johnnie Walkers Limited Edition Blender's Batch, held at THE VAULT, in Sri Hartamas.

So, what's it all about?

We all (or at least me and my peers did ) grew up weaned on Johnnie Walker scotch, so it's always had a special place in my heart, and presumably liver.  But of course, over the years, a slew of other brands have appeared, from all around the world.  So, it's not surprising that Johnnie Walker®, the world’s number one-selling Scotch, houses a team of expert blenders that create the perfect blends, while having hundreds of ongoing new experiments with flavours being carried out by them.  Afterall, one has to stay ahead and keep up with the times, much as we have fond memories of the Black Labels, all the way to the Blue.. and beyond.

So, the event was to mark the release of a range of new blends, this being the  Johnnie Walker® Blenders’ Batch.  It's a brand new, limited edition series of experimental whiskies that challenge convention while revealing the skills and continuous pursuit of flavours that drives the small team of expert blenders led by Master Blender, Dr. Jim Beveridge, a man whose personal journey making whisky began over 40 years ago. 

Inspired by the time he spent blending bourbon and rye in Kentucky in the 90s, the first Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch series are the result of experiments into the influence of bourbon and rye whisky flavours on Scotch. - (quoted from Press Release)

The night started with a sense of anticipation, with cocktails made by the talented mixologist team at the Vault.

The first cocktail was the Evenfall (I kept thinking of Adele's Skyfall song). which I liked. It comprised the Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish, Vermouth Rosso, A VERY REFRESHING dash of YUZU juice (that was the clincher I think), Maraschino liquer, cinnamon syrup, and lemon rind.

Next was the more Feminine Butterfly, not least because of the Orchid garnish....Being more feminine, it was also a tad too sweet for me.

It's a real pleasure to see these guys at work, so passionate.

Aloshana delivering the keynote address, ... I'm sure I can't have been that drunk, but I don't remember anyone else giving a speech.

Another excerpt from the Press Release:
“The Johnnie Walker blending team believes that experiment is the key to innovation. We have been experimenting with flavours to ensure that the blends are of the best it can be for the past 200 years through various techniques, expertise and advances in science. Globally, interest in whisky is higher than it has ever been and this feels like the right time to open the doors to our experiments. With that in mind, the Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch series is the result of our innovation and we believe that by making it available here in Malaysia, our consumers will continue to love the brand, its story and these whiskies even more,” shared Rajesh Joshi, Marketing Director of Moët Hennessy Diageo Malaysia.

The first whisky from the Blenders’ Batch series that is being released is the Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask & Rye Finish. Bottled in individually numbered bottles, this limited edition liquid is part of the progression in making whiskies that a new generation of whisky drinkers are seeking. The outcome of the experiments focused on what happens when the intensely sweet flavours of bourbon and rye whiskies are brought together with the depth and subtlety of carefully crafted Scotch whisky.

Basically the Bourbon Cask does impart that bourbon flavour, (duhh), and I noticed this was particularly favoured by those who were inclined to bourbon.

On the floor above, guests had the chance to mix their own drinks and cocktails under the guidance of renowned mixologists, Ben Ng from Mish Mash Penang and Jeff from James Won...

After that, there was actually a LOK LOK Food truck (outside, obviously) for guests to fill their tummy.

My own conclusion is that the Blender's Batch is definitely a unique blend, I love that complex bourbon and rye finish, and despite the award winning mixologists concocting their magic, I still preferred to drink it neat, with a little bit of ice.

Of course, being a LIMITED EDITION (that is always the prelude to "not cheap for sure"), it is a bit on the pricey side.  But hey, young people of today have that hashtag right, #yolo.  It really is quite a lovely tipple, and if I had deep pockets, I would not hesitate in getting  few.

Meanwhile, the  Johnnie Walker Blenders’ Batch Bourbon Cask and Rye Finish cocktails, and presumably the whisky on its own, is available at select outlets nationwide including Mish Mash, The Vault, Forking Cork, Urban & Co, Culture Club, Mulligan's Signature, Pawn Room, The Attic, Berlin, Chaze, Suzie Wong, Locker & Loft and O'Sesame for a limited time only.

For more information, please follow:-

Official website : www.johnniewalker.com
Facebook page :https://www.facebook.com/JohnnieWalkerMalaysia/
Official Hashtags : #JohnnieWalker #JohnnieWalkerMY #JWBlendersBatch
#LimitedEdition


For media enquiries, kindly contact:
ROOTS PR Sdn Bhd
Olivia Chan / Aloshana Pandair
+603 7494 0292
olivia.chan@rootsasia.com /aloshana@rootsasia.com

For purchase queries, kindly contact:
diageoinfo@mhdm.com.my